A Texas resident, who previously supported President Donald Trump, has expressed criticism of the Trump administration following the detention of his Venezuelan fiancé. She was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Houston while attending a furniture convention late last month.
Incident Details
John Gannon’s situation reflects other cases where the partners of American citizens face arrest despite having initially entered the U.S. legally and possessing pending immigration applications. Gannon, a 75-year-old businessman and committed Republican, revealed to CBS News his regret over his 2024 vote for Trump. He criticized the administration, saying, “They’re picking up law-abiding citizens. They’re destroying families and jobs.” His fiancé, Yasmin Suarez Reyes, 45, was apprehended at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
News outlets, including Newsweek, sought comments from Gannon, Suarez Reyes’ legal representative, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A spokesperson for DHS clarified that Suarez Reyes entered the U.S. legally on October 24, 2023, but her legal stay expired on January 19, 2024. The department noted that pending immigration applications do not provide legal status. Her case will be reviewed by an immigration judge.
Details About Yasmin Suarez Reyes
Suarez Reyes reportedly entered under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA), as she holds dual citizenship in Spain, a program member, and Venezuela. This program permits visitors to stay in the U.S. for 90 days without a visa. Reyes remained in the country beyond this period and applied for asylum in January 2024, according to CBS. A pending application allowed her to get a work permit and a Texas driver’s license while U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reviewed her case.
In July, during a trip to a furniture convention in Las Vegas, ICE agents detained Suarez Reyes.
Gannon’s Reaction to the Arrest
“After we left the United room, eight officers, ICE agents, surrounded Yasmin and detained her,” Gannon told CBS News. “They didn’t tell us why and forced her into a car.” If given a chance to meet President Trump, Gannon said he would question him about the situation. “Go after the criminals. We’re all for that. But leave the mom and pops and the kids alone. Man, he’s destroying families,” said Gannon, who owns over 1,000 billboards across the U.S. and several businesses in Mexico.
Regarding his previous support for Trump, Gannon admitted, “I wouldn’t do that again, not after this fiasco.”
ICE’s Increased Activity at Airports
ICE has heightened its operations at airports, particularly focusing on immigrants like Suarez Reyes, whose legal status remains unclear due to pending asylum applications. DHS has explained that pending applications typically afford a work permit but do not confer complete legal status. As a result, immigrants remain susceptible to detention after their original visa expiration.
Immigration attorneys and advocates have criticized the federal government, accusing agents of targeting easily detainable individuals to boost arrest figures. Yasmin Suarez Reyes is under ICE custody at Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, facing potential removal.
Inquiries on this story can be directed to Edward T. Cummins of Newsweek.
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