ICE Releases Venezuelan Doctor After Weeks in Custody Over Alleged Visa Overstay

A Venezuelan doctor who was detained by immigration authorities at a Texas airport while travelling to an immigration hearing in California has been released after spending more than a month in custody.

Dr Rubeliz Bolivar was released on May 13 from the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, Texas, after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on April 11 at the McAllen International Airport alongside her 5-year-old daughter, who is an American citizen. She was released with an ankle monitor and is scheduled for a mandatory ICE check-in later in May.

Dr. Bolivar, 33, was employed at South Texas Health System in McAllen.

“I just spoke with my husband. We are extremely happy. We are very thankful. Very, very thankful for all the support. Truly. Thank you so much to everyone,” Dr. Bolivar said, according to KRGV.

ICE officials said the Venezuelan doctor was detained for overstaying a visitor visa that expired in 2017. However, the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association stated that Dr. Bolivar has a valid work permit.

In a statement, an ICE official described Dr. Bolivar as an “illegal alien from Venezuela” who was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol.

“Bolivar-Barrios entered the U.S. on Oct. 15, 2016, on a visitor visa but failed to leave the country when the visa expired in 2017, living in the U.S. illegally for over nine years,” the statement said. “On April 12, Bolivar-Barrios was transferred to ICE custody pending completion of her immigration proceedings.”

The statement continued, “Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S., the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”

According to the Associated Press, Dr. Bolivar missed her immigration appointment while in custody.

Her husband, Milenko Faria, said her asylum case may now be affected.

“What I believe is that she is not part of my asylum anymore,” Faria said. “We have a green card adjustment of status pending, and she’s my beneficiary on that one too.”

Faria and Dr. Bolivar reportedly both possess work authorization cards through their asylum claims. Faria’s card is valid through 2029, while Dr. Bolivar’s authorization expires in 2030.

However, immigration attorneys interviewed by Channel 5 News said that work authorization cards, pending visa applications, or asylum claims do not automatically grant legal immigration status in the country.

While many people celebrated Dr. Bolivar’s release on social media, others questioned her immigration status and the length of time she remained in the country after her visa expired.

“She has overstayed her visa since 2017, nearly a decade, and had no legal status. It would be nice if American politicians actually did something for American citizens and not illegal aliens,” one person wrote.

Others defended the Venezuelan doctor and praised her work in the medical field. “I read about her and she has saved more lives than can be counted and was desperately needed while she was locked up because her skills are beyond compare. I’m so happy she’s free and I hope that she will sue this Administration and ICE,” another X user wrote.