A Texas businessman who voted for former President Donald Trump says he now regrets his decision after his fiancée was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Houston’s international airport last month.
John Gannon, 75, and Yasmin Suarez Reyes, 45, were detained by ICE agents in plainclothes on July 24 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, according to Gannon’s account. The couple, who were traveling to Las Vegas for a furniture industry convention, said they were not informed of the reason for the arrest at the time.
Gannon, a lifelong Republican and owner of more than 1,000 billboards in the U.S. and several businesses in Mexico, told CBS News that ICE agents swarmed Suarez Reyes after she left a United Airlines terminal, detaining her without explanation. Suarez Reyes holds dual citizenship in Spain and Venezuela and entered the U.S. legally in October 2023 under the Visa Waiver Program, according to government records reviewed by CBS News.
Suarez Reyes has no criminal record and was arrested despite having a pending immigration case, her attorney, Anne Kennedy—also a lifelong Republican—stated. Kennedy confirmed that Suarez Reyes was taken into custody without being informed of the grounds for her detention.
Gannon, who had supported Trump in previous elections, expressed frustration with the administration’s immigration policies, stating: "I voted for Trump. They are picking up law-abiding citizens. They're destroying families, jobs." He added that if given the chance to speak to the former president, he would ask: "What are you doing? Go after the criminals. We're all for that. But leave the mom and pops and the kids alone."
-- The Arrest and Immediate Aftermath --
Gannon described the scene as chaotic, saying eight ICE agents in plainclothes detained Suarez Reyes without identifying themselves or providing a reason. He stated that the agents did not inform him or Suarez Reyes of her rights or the basis for the arrest at the time of detention.
Suarez Reyes was taken into custody and remains detained, according to Gannon and her attorney. Kennedy, who is representing Suarez Reyes, confirmed that her client entered the U.S. legally and has no prior criminal convictions. The pending immigration case cited by Kennedy has not been publicly detailed, and no further information about its status has been released.
-- Legal and Political Reactions --
Kennedy, Suarez Reyes’ attorney, emphasized that her client’s arrest contradicts claims that ICE prioritizes the detention of individuals with criminal records. "She entered legally, has no criminal record, and was detained without explanation," Kennedy stated. She declined to comment further on the specifics of the pending immigration case.
Gannon, who has since become vocal about his opposition to Trump’s immigration policies, did not specify whether he would change his political affiliation but expressed regret over his past support. "Man, he's destroying families," he told CBS News.
-- Background and Context --
Suarez Reyes, born in Venezuela, holds Spanish citizenship, which grants her eligibility to enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. The program allows citizens of 40 participating countries to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. Her legal entry status and lack of a criminal record have raised questions about the circumstances of her detention.
Gannon, who owns multiple billboards and businesses in Mexico, has described his relationship with Suarez Reyes as long-standing. The couple had planned to marry and were traveling together when the arrest occurred. Gannon’s public criticism of Trump’s immigration enforcement marks a shift from his previous political alignment.
-- Ongoing Developments --
As of the latest reports, Suarez Reyes remains in ICE custody. No additional details about her detention status, potential deportation proceedings, or the specifics of her pending immigration case have been made public. Gannon has not indicated whether he plans to pursue legal action on her behalf.
The incident has drawn attention to ICE’s enforcement practices, particularly regarding individuals with legal status or pending immigration cases. Critics of the administration’s policies argue that such detentions contribute to family separations and undermine trust in law enforcement. Supporters of stricter immigration enforcement, however, contend that all individuals in the country without proper documentation—regardless of criminal history—are subject to removal.
The case remains unresolved, with no timeline provided for Suarez Reyes’ release or further legal proceedings.