Venezuelan Doctor Detained at Airport, Misses Husband's Asylum Interview

Bolivar's arrest part of Trump administration's hardline immigration policies, lawyer says

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:18am

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A conceptual editorial illustration featuring a fractured, geometric painting of a Venezuelan doctor's medical bag and stethoscope in overlapping waves of deep blue, teal, and violet, representing the disruption to healthcare access caused by immigration enforcement.The detention of Venezuelan doctors highlights the human toll of hardline immigration policies on healthcare access in underserved communities.Santa Maria Today

A Venezuelan doctor in South Texas was detained by Border Patrol agents at the McAllen International Airport while traveling with her 5-year-old daughter, causing her to miss her husband's asylum interview. The doctor, Rubeliz Bolivar, had been working in an underserved medical area and was planning to attend the interview with her husband, Milenko Faria. Another Venezuelan doctor, Ezequiel Veliz, was also recently detained in the area.

Why it matters

The arrests of the two Venezuelan doctors highlight the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies, which have led to increased enforcement and detentions of immigrants, even those with pending legal status applications. The cases raise concerns about the impact on families and access to medical care in underserved communities.

The details

Bolivar, 33, was arrested by Border Patrol agents on Saturday as she was preparing to board a flight to join her husband for his asylum interview. She had been working as a doctor in an area designated as medically underserved. Her husband, Milenko Faria, 36, attended the interview alone. Bolivar is being held at an ICE detention facility in Texas. Another Venezuelan doctor, Ezequiel Veliz, was also recently detained by Border Patrol agents in the area while traveling to Houston.

  • Bolivar was arrested by Border Patrol agents at McAllen International Airport on Saturday, April 15, 2026.
  • Faria's asylum interview took place on Thursday, April 17, 2026.
  • Veliz was detained by Border Patrol agents on April 6, 2026, and was later able to secure his release on bond on April 16, 2026.

The players

Rubeliz Bolivar

A 33-year-old Venezuelan doctor who was working in an underserved medical area in South Texas and was detained by Border Patrol agents at the airport while traveling with her 5-year-old daughter to attend her husband's asylum interview.

Milenko Faria

Bolivar's 36-year-old Venezuelan husband who attended the asylum interview alone after his wife was detained.

Ezequiel Veliz

Another Venezuelan doctor who was recently detained by Border Patrol agents in the South Texas area while traveling to Houston.

Victor Badell

The attorney for Ezequiel Veliz who was able to secure his release on bond after about ten days in detention.

Jodi Goodwin

An immigration attorney in South Texas who observed a change in policy regarding travel of individuals with pending applications before USCIS around September or October 2025.

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What they’re saying

“She has overstayed her visa since 2017, nearly a decade, and had no legal status.”

— Lauren Bis, DHS spokeswoman

“It just became a very apparent trend where anyone that had some kind of application pending with USCIS, whether it was an adjustment of status or asylum, anything like that, they were going to be arrested.”

— Jodi Goodwin, Immigration attorney

“He was one year and four months into that. He couldn't continue working legally. He had to stop.”

— Victor Badell, Attorney for Ezequiel Veliz

“We have never done anything outside the law. We have done everything by following the steps in accordance with the law to obtain permanent residency.”

— Milenko Faria

What’s next

Bolivar's attorney is working to secure her release from ICE custody so she can attend her husband's asylum interview. Veliz was able to secure his release on bond after about ten days in detention.

The takeaway

These cases highlight the impact of the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies, which have led to increased enforcement and detentions of immigrants, even those with pending legal status applications. The arrests of the two Venezuelan doctors also raise concerns about the effect on access to medical care in underserved communities.