You just can’t make this stuff up.
The co‑owner of Trump Burger — a MAGA‑themed burger chain in Texas — is now facing deportation because of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Presumably, the restaurateur is a fan, considering he named the chain after the president.
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Roland Mehrez Beainy, the 28‑year‑old Lebanese entrepreneur behind the chain’s Texas expansion from Bellville into Houston, Flatonia, and Kemah, is being removed after overstaying his U.S. visitor visa, which expired in February 2024.
Beainy was arrested by ICE in May 2025 and faces allegations including assault and orchestrating a “sham marriage” to gain residency — a claim supported by his own family, as reported in Eater.
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Beainy disputes most of the charges but has declined further comment, per the report.
The chain’s Trump‑branded decor, merchandise, and MAGA-themed promotions have not shielded Beainy from immigration enforcement.
Legal troubles have made things more difficult for Beainy since the Trump Organization issued a cease-and-desist for trademark infringement, and lawsuits arising over ownership and debt disputes.
One Trump Burger location recently changed its name to MAGA Burger.
Image source: Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers/Getty Images
ICE raids shake the restaurant industry nationwide
The Trump Burger saga is far from unique — ICE raids have cast a wide shadow across America’s restaurant sector, especially in markets like California, Nevada and Texas where there are large immigrant populations:
- In Los Angeles, raids have emptied produce markets and restaurants alike. One vendor described the business drop as “Covid‑like,” with daily sales plunging from around $2,000 to just $300. Popular eateries like Teddy’s Red Tacos reported revenue cuts of nearly 50%, with customers — mostly from immigrant communities — staying home out of fear, per Reuters.
- Staffing shortages are rampant. In Southern California alone, over 1,600 immigrant workers were arrested in recent enforcement actions. Many others stayed home, fearing detention, leaving kitchens critically understaffed as reported in the Los Angeles Public Press.
- Tourist-dependent economies are also reeling. Las Vegas has seen a “Trump slump” with international and Hispanic visitors avoiding the city amid visa uncertainties and enforcement fears.
- In Austin, Tex. the award-winning restaurant L’Oca d’Oro suffered as employees were detained or self-deported amid the raids, according to My San Antonio.
President Trump comments on ICE action
President Trump himself has weighed in on the dilemma — expressing concern over the economic consequences of aggressive deportations in sectors reliant on immigrant labor. He acknowledged that farms, hotels, and restaurants were losing “very good, long time workers” who were “almost impossible to replace.”
In response, he directed ICE to pause raids in those industries while maintaining a commitment to target criminal undocumented immigrants.
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It begs the question, though: which industries don’t rely on their immigrant workers, whether they’ve been in the U.S. for a long time or have recently arrived?
The president’s comments highlight the tension between enforcement priorities and economic realities — an irony sharply reflected in the Trump Burger story.
ICE raids: a bleak economic outlook for the restaurant industry
The economic impact of ICE raids on the restaurant industry is profound:
- Revenue Losses: In the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, several restaurants reported losing 50% or more of their customers or revenue over the last several weeks due to ICE sweeps. One business owner estimated losses of around $15,000. Many establishments have reduced operating hours or closed temporarily to mitigate financial strain, according to LAist.
- Labor Shortages: In Texas, where 22% of the state’s 1.4 million restaurant workers are immigrants, the heightened immigration enforcement has exacerbated labor shortages, as reported in the Statesmen.
The Trump-branded burger chain caught in deportation proceedings serves as a microcosm of the broader conflicts roiling the U.S. restaurant industry.
As ICE raids continue to disrupt businesses and communities nationwide, it’s clear that no amount of political branding can shield a company from legal and economic realities.
Roland Beainy’s immigration hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2025.
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