Venezuelan Doctor Detained at Texas Airport, Sparking Concerns

Husband in Santa Maria speaks out as family navigates immigration case and child faces trauma

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:12pm

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A cinematic painting of an empty airport terminal with warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, featuring a single suitcase left unattended on the floor, conceptually representing the isolation and uncertainty faced by an immigrant doctor detained by immigration authorities.The detention of a Venezuelan doctor at a Texas airport raises concerns about the impact of immigration enforcement on healthcare access in underserved communities.Santa Maria Today

A Venezuelan doctor working in South Texas, with ties to Santa Maria, was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on April 11 at the McAllen Airport while traveling with her 5-year-old daughter. Her husband, Milenko Faria, who lives in Santa Maria, says his wife, Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar, was headed to California for a scheduled asylum appointment when she was stopped by officers. The case has raised concerns about the impact of immigration enforcement on communities that rely on doctors in medically underserved areas.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges faced by immigrant healthcare professionals navigating the U.S. immigration system, and the potential impact on access to medical care in underserved communities. It also raises concerns about the trauma experienced by children caught up in immigration enforcement actions.

The details

According to Faria, his wife told officers she had 'pending asylum and pending adjustment of status,' and showed them a valid work permit. However, CBP claims Bolivar 'overstayed her visa since 2017' and 'had no legal status.' Faria said their daughter Milena was with Bolivar during the airport encounter, and was later released after being held at a CBP detention center. Faria said the experience has left their daughter traumatized.

  • On April 11, 2026, Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar was detained by CBP at the McAllen Airport in Texas.
  • Bolivar was traveling with her 5-year-old daughter Milena to California for a scheduled asylum appointment.

The players

Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar

A Venezuelan doctor working in South Texas, with direct ties to Santa Maria, who was detained by CBP at the McAllen Airport while traveling with her 5-year-old daughter.

Milenko Faria

The husband of Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar, who lives in Santa Maria and is speaking out about his wife's detention and the impact on their family.

Milena

The 5-year-old daughter of Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar, who was with her mother during the airport encounter and has been left traumatized by the experience.

Denisse Carreon

The public relations director with We The People RGV, who has been advocating for Dr. Bolivar and raising concerns about the impact of immigration enforcement on healthcare access in underserved communities.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The federal agency that detained Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar at the McAllen Airport, claiming she had overstayed her visa and had no legal status.

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What they’re saying

“Es traumático para ella”

— Milenko Faria, Husband of Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar

“Dónde está mi mamá? Extraño a mi mamá”

— Milena, Daughter of Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar

“Que la maten por asociación. Perder la vida”

— Milenko Faria, Husband of Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar

“Eso es lo que nosotros queremos... que su libertad se pueda conceder”

— Milenko Faria, Husband of Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar

What’s next

The family is focused on trying to secure Dr. Bolivar's release in time for her upcoming asylum interview in California.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by immigrant healthcare professionals and the potential impact of immigration enforcement on access to medical care in underserved communities. It also underscores the trauma experienced by children caught up in these situations.