Venezuelan Doctor Detained at Airport, Husband Pleads Asylum Alone

Sun Apr 19 2026 02:59:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Venezuelan man navigates an asylum interview alone as his wife, a doctor, remains in immigration custody after being detained at the airport with their daughter.

Milenko Faria pleaded his asylum case during an interview while his wife, Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar, was arrested by immigration officers in Texas. The couple had been seeking asylum for over a decade. Bolivar's detention raises concerns about U.S. immigration policies and the challenges faced by asylum seekers, particularly those with legal work authorizations.

A Venezuelan man, Milenko Faria, recently faced an asylum interview alone at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices. His wife, Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar, was unable to support him as she remained in immigration custody after being detained at McAllen International Airport with their 5-year-old daughter.

Dr. Bolivar, known for her work in underserved medical areas of South Texas, was apprehended by customs officers on her way to attend the asylum interview they prepared for over a decade. Her arrest highlights ongoing immigration challenges faced by professionals seeking safety and stability in the U.S.

The couple initially arrived in the U.S. in 2016, with Dr. Bolivar entering on a tourist visa after completing her medical education in Venezuela. Since then, they have sought legal pathways to remain, including adjusting her status to that of a permanent resident through an asylum application filed by her husband.

Dr. Bolivar, who was stationed at a South Texas hospital, had been adjusting her status to apply for a green card, as both she and her husband qualified for Temporary Protected Status, which shielded Venezuelans from deportation. However, the Trump administration's recent policies terminated these protections for many, including Dr. Bolivar.

The Department of Homeland Security has clarified that Dr. Bolivar is currently in the country illegally due to having overstayed her visa. Amid new enforcement practices, her attorney observed a notable trend where individuals with pending applications before USCIS were being targeted for arrests during travel.

The nature of her detention also raised questions about her legal status, as she was carrying a valid work authorization at the time of her arrest. While awaiting clarity about her situation, Faria shared how they have always attempted to act within the law, hoping for a favorable outcome from their asylum application.

This incident brings to light the complexities of U.S. immigration legislation and enforcement measures, especially as they relate to professionals attempting to build a life in the country while adhering to legal protocols.