Who is Iyad Abuelhawa? ‘Trump Burger’ Owner Arrested in Texas by ICE

Texas – Iyad Abuelhawa, co-owner of the controversial Trump Burger franchise, has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on allegations of illegal entry into the United States. He is currently being held at a Montgomery County detention facility, according to the Houston Chronicle.

ICE Arrest and Legal Dispute

Abuelhawa, described by ICE as a Jordanian citizen of Israeli descent, has allegedly been living in the U.S. unlawfully since 2009, when a judge ordered his deportation.

His attorney, Jennifer Lopez, disputes ICE’s claims, insisting that Abuelhawa had been permitted to remain in the U.S. under what she called a “multiple [government] agencies’ benefit” arrangement. She further added that Abuelhawa, now a stateless Palestinian, has serious health issues, including loss of sensation in his legs due to lack of proper insulin care while in detention.

Who is Iyad Abuelhawa? Background of the Trump Café and Trump Burger

Abuelhawa, along with his wife, originally launched the Trump Café in Bellville, Texas, in 2016. Its signature dish, the Trump Burger, later became the basis for a franchise chain that expanded to Houston, Flatonia, Kemah, and Bellville.

Operating under the aliases Eddie and Sue Hawa, the couple ran the business until 2017. The first official Trump Burger outlet opened in 2020, near the café’s former location.

The arrest of Abuelhawa follows the detention of Roland Beainy, another Trump Burger founder, who was also accused of illegal entry earlier this year but later released on bond.

Criminal History

Abuelhawa’s legal troubles extend beyond immigration. In 2007, he was convicted of health care fraud after distributing fake vaccinations—sterile water labeled as legitimate doses—to ExxonMobil employees and senior citizens. He pled guilty and received a four-year prison sentence.

Political and Social Reactions

The Trump Burger franchise has often been in the spotlight for its pro-Trump branding and menu, attracting both fans and critics. Abuelhawa’s detention comes amid a renewed crackdown on illegal immigration under Donald Trump’s administration, which, according to Pew Research Center, has led to the first decline in migrant numbers in over six decades.