Donald Trump has said “welcome home” to Justo Betancourt, a Cuban-born Miami resident who spent months in federal immigration detention in the Florida Everglades facility dubbed Alligator Alcatraz.
“Welcome home to Justo Betancourt, whose Daughter, Arianne, fought very hard to free her father from Alligator Alcatraz. Enjoy your Freedom together,” President Trump wrote in a post on TruthSocial.
Betancourt, who has lived in the United States for decades, was detained for more than six months after being taken into custody during a routine immigration check-in, according to court documents.
He was freed from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on May 14, after a federal judge ordered his release.
His attorneys successfully argued that he had been wrongfully detained, leading to a habeas corpus ruling that compelled federal authorities to release him.
His daughter, Arianne Betancourt, became a central figure in efforts to secure his release, speaking publicly and advocating on his behalf throughout his detention.
Who Is Justo Betancourt?
Betancourt entered the United States in 1990 and was later granted lawful status, but an immigration judge ordered his removal in 2020 following criminal convictions including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, according to May 13 court documents in the case to release him.
Because he is a Cuban national and could not be readily deported, immigration authorities released him under supervision, requiring regular check-ins while he lived in the community, according to the court filings.
He was taken back into custody during one of those check-ins on October 29, 2025, the court filings said.
Authorities also attempted to remove him to Mexico in January 2026 but he was denied entry due to his “medical and mental health issues”, according to the court papers.
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