On April 16, 2026, Milenko Faria attended his asylum interview at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in California while his wife, Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar—a prominent Venezuelan doctor—was detained in Texas. The couple had waited over a decade for their interview only to be separated at a crucial moment.
Bolivar, 33, was arrested by Border Patrol at McAllen International Airport while preparing to join her husband and daughter for the interview. Her hospitalization while she served in a federally designated medically underserved area had made her a critical resource in the community, increasing the urgency of her case.
This incident is a stark illustration of rising tensions surrounding immigration policies under the Trump administration. Alongside Dr. Bolivar, another Venezuelan physician, Dr. Ezequiel Veliz, was detained just a week earlier, highlighting systemic issues impacting healthcare professionals in the U.S.
Following her arrest, Bolivar has faced significant legal uncertainty despite having arrived in the U.S. legally on a tourist visa in 2016 and being in the process of adjusting her status through an asylum application filed by her husband.
Faria, working as an information systems technician, emphasized that they have always pursued legal avenues for residency. We’ve followed the steps in accordance with the law, he stated during a phone interview.
Dr. Bolivar was being held at the El Valle Detention Facility in Texas, prompting immediate family concerns about their daughter, who was also detained for 19 hours before being released to a family member.
The ongoing situation raises critical questions concerning how immigration policies impact families striving for a better life, especially those who are skilled and contributing to health care in the U.S.
While policies continue to shift, Faria remains hopeful for a resolution, advocating for the return of his family. This was the first time Bolívar traveled since moving to Texas—and now she is in ICE custody, unable to be with us during such an essential moment in our lives, he lamented.
