Venezuelan doctor detained at airport despite work permit, released after judge orders bail
May 13, 2026·Location: Texas
Country of origin: Venezuela

Dr. Rubeliz Bolívar, a Venezuelan physician working at South Texas Health System, was detained by CBP in mid-April 2026 at McAllen International Airport while attempting to board a flight with her five-year-old U.S. citizen daughter. CBP claimed she had overstayed a visa that expired in 2017, despite her holding a valid work permit and having a pending green card application and active asylum proceedings. Her daughter was held briefly before being released to her maternal grandparents. After approximately one month in El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, a judge ordered Bolívar's release on bail on May 13, 2026, and she was reunited with her family. Her attorneys are appealing ICE's allegations that she violated visa conditions.
Timeline
Sources
- ICE libera a la doctora venezolana Rubeliz Bolívar tras detenerla hace un mes en el aeropuerto de McAllen, pese a caso de asilo
Telemundo·May 13, 2026·archived copy
- Wife of Santa Maria Man Released From Immigration Facility After Weeks of Holding
KEYT·May 14, 2026·archived copy
- ‘Until she is free, I
- Médica venezolana Rubeliz Bolívar quedó en libertad bajo fianza tras arresto de ICE
monitoreamos.com·May 14, 2026·archived copy
- Ice liberó a la hija de la médica venezolana que fue detenida en Texas
elpublicotv.com·Apr 14, 2026·archived copy
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