On June 1, 2026, Donald Trump extended a warm welcome to Justo Betancourt, a resident of Miami originally from Cuba. Betancourt, who had been detained in the federal immigration facility known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in the Florida Everglades, was finally released after several months.

Trump shared this message through a post on TruthSocial, saying, “Welcome home to Justo Betancourt, whose daughter, Arianne, fought very hard to free her father from Alligator Alcatraz. Enjoy your freedom together.” Betancourt’s release followed a court ruling, which found his detention unjust, ultimately leading to a habeas corpus decision.

Throughout this challenging period, his daughter, Arianne Betancourt, played a vital role by advocating tirelessly for her father’s release.

Understanding Justo Betancourt’s Journey

Justo Betancourt immigrated to the United States in 1990. Over time, he obtained legal status. However, in 2020, due to prior criminal convictions such as conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, an immigration judge ordered his deportation. As Betancourt was Cuban and could not be readily deported, he was released under supervision with the requirement of regular check-ins.

During a routine check-in on October 29, 2025, authorities detained him once again. An attempt to deport him to Mexico in January 2026 failed because Mexico denied him entry due to medical and mental health issues. This detention persisted until May 14, 2026, when a federal judge’s order secured his release. This decision came after his legal team successfully argued that his detention was unjust based on the available court documents.