President Donald Trump on Sunday celebrated the release of Miami resident Justo Betancourt, praising the efforts of Betancourt’s daughter after the Cuban-born immigrant spent months in federal immigration custody before a judge ordered his release.
“Welcome home to Justo Betancourt, whose Daughter, Arianne, fought very hard to free her father from Alligator Alcatraz,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Enjoy your Freedom together!!!”
Justo Betancourt, 54, was released from ICE custody early on May 14 after spending more than six months behind bars following his detention during what his family says was a routine annual check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His release came after a federal judge determined he had been wrongfully detained.
U.S. District Judge Kyle Dudek granted Justo Betancourt’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus May 13 and ordered the government to release him within 48 hours, according to court records.
Justo Betancourt, a Cuban-born Miami resident, had been reporting to ICE as required. His daughter, Arianne Betancourt, said her father appeared for his annual check-in on Oct. 29, 2025, expecting to receive a date for his next appointment and return home. Instead, he was taken into custody.
According to court filings and statements from his family, Justo Betancourt had completed probation related to prior criminal convictions and was complying with all requirements imposed by immigration authorities. He also had a pending work permit application, his daughter said.
Arianne Betancourt said she drove her father to the ICE office and waited outside while he attended the appointment. After several hours, she learned he had been detained.
Justo Betancourt was later transferred to Florida’s immigration detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” where he remained for months while attorneys challenged his detention in federal court. His legal team ultimately convinced the court that he was being held improperly, leading to Dudek’s order for his release.
