Venezuelan Doctor Detained in Texas After Losing Job to Visa Freeze
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Dr. Ezequiel Veliz, a Venezuelan-born family physician who treated chronic illness patients in a U.S. region facing a doctor shortage, was detained by Border Patrol agents in Texas due to an expired visa.
- Veliz had been legally working in the U.S. and was recognized as resident of the year in 2025 at UT Health, Rio Grande Valley, but lost his work permit following a freeze on visa extensions affecting citizens of 39 countries under a Trump administration policy.
- Despite efforts to transition to a new visa, Veliz was stopped at a checkpoint in Sarita, Texas, while traveling with his American citizen husband and subsequently detained after agents determined his visa had lapsed.
- The incident highlights challenges faced by foreign-born physicians in the U.S. immigration system, especially amid policies restricting visa renewals and work permits.
- UT Health has not yet commented on the situation involving Dr. Veliz.
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