Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested Iyad Abuelhawa, the owner of a Trump Burger restaurant in Texas, on suspicion of entering the United States illegally, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Abuelhawa, who first opened the Trump Café in Bellville, northwest of Houston, in October 2016, was taken into custody on June 2. He is currently being held at a detention facility in Montgomery County, the outlet reported.
The Trump Burger, which later became the name of a Texas restaurant franchise, originated as one of the signature dishes at the Trump Café.
Abuelhawa’s arrest comes just weeks after ICE detained Roland Beainy, the franchise creator behind Trump Burger, who was also accused of living in the U.S. unlawfully. Trump Burger, which operates locations in Houston, Bellville, Flatonia, and Kemah, has attracted national attention for its pro-Trump branding and menu.
According to the Pew Research Center, President Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown since returning to office in January has significantly reduced the number of migrants living in the country—marking the first decline in six decades.
Who is Iyad Abuelhawa?
ICE has identified Abuelhawa as a Jordanian citizen of Israeli descent who has remained in the U.S. illegally since a judge ordered his removal in 2009.
However, his attorney, Jennifer Lopez, disputed that claim in comments to the Houston Chronicle. She argued that Abuelhawa was previously told by “multiple [government] agencies” that he was allowed to stay in the U.S., though she declined to provide details.
Lopez added that Abuelhawa’s health has deteriorated in detention, leaving him partially paralyzed from the knees down because of inadequate insulin and blood sugar monitoring. She also noted that he is a stateless Palestinian, and his request for parole was recently denied.
The Trump Burger Story
Abuelhawa and his wife initially ran the Trump Café near Houston between 2016 and 2017 under the aliases Eddie and Sue Hawa. The café’s signature dish—the Trump Burger—later inspired the launch of the first Trump Burger restaurant in 2020, located near the former café site. The chain has since expanded to multiple Texas locations.
Earlier this year, ICE arrested Beainy, one of the brand’s co-founders, on immigration charges. He was later released on bond.
Abuelhawa also has a prior criminal record. In 2007, he pleaded guilty to health care fraud and illegally marketing a medication. Prosecutors alleged that he supplied Exxon Mobil employees and senior citizens with fake vaccinations made of sterile water. He was sentenced to four years in prison and later attempted unsuccessfully to withdraw his plea.
