Summary (tl;dr)

Venezuelan immigrant Bryan Rojas was detained by ICE for months after a security check at a Trump hotel in Doral, Florida, during his honeymoon, leading to significant financial hardship for his family.

Essential Background

Bryan Rojas Galofre entered the United States in 2021, fleeing Venezuela, and had an asylum application pending. At the time of the incident, he was also pursuing legal immigration relief and had begun the process of adjusting his status through family sponsorship. He reportedly had no prior criminal record.

The Full Story

In January 2025, Bryan Rojas and his wife, Socorro Zaragosa, traveled from Wisconsin to Trump National Doral in Florida for their honeymoon, hoping to see then-President Donald Trump, whom his wife supports. At a security checkpoint at the resort, an airsoft gun, which Zaragosa stated she carried for personal protection, and a metal marijuana grinder were reportedly found in their vehicle. This led to their arrest on a drug-paraphernalia charge; they have since pleaded not guilty, and the criminal case remains pending.

Following the arrest, authorities allegedly scrutinized Rojas's tattoos and questioned him about gang affiliations, leading to his transfer into federal custody and subsequent detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite his pending legal immigration status and lack of criminal history, Rojas spent nearly three months in ICE detention. He was eventually granted bond by an Immigration Judge and released on May 6, 2025, after his family raised $15,000. The ordeal has resulted in over $80,000 in debt for the family, who reportedly lost their house, vehicle, and retirement savings.

Why It Matters

This case has drawn attention as an example of the severe impact of immigration enforcement on individuals with pending legal processes and U.S. citizen family members. It highlights the financial and personal tolls on immigrant families navigating the complex immigration system, even when they are working, paying taxes, and following legal procedures. The situation is particularly notable given his wife's public support for Donald Trump, whose administration's immigration policies directly affected her family.

Geographic Location

• Trump National Doral, Doral, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States (security checkpoint incident and initial arrest)
• Broward Transitional Center, Pompano Beach, Broward County, Florida, United States (ICE detention)
• Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States (criminal case remains pending)