President Donald Trump celebrated in an unusual message the release of a Cuban immigrant who was detained at the controversial detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz”. The facility, located in the middle of the Everglades wetlands, is set to close its doors just one year after its opening.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Welcome home, Justo Betancourt, whose daughter, Arianne, fought with great determination to free her father from Alligator Alcatraz. Enjoy your freedom together.” The message did not detail the reasons for the release, but highlighted the effort of the detainee’s daughter.
Justo Betancourt, 54, was released on May 14 from custody of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in compliance with an order issued by a federal judge. He remained more than 6 months in the detention center opened by Trump himself in 2025.
Why Is It Unusual for Trump to Congratulate a Released Immigrant?
Generally, Trump criticizes federal judges who issue orders in favor of immigrants to prevent their deportation. A recent case was that of Salvadoran Kilmar Abrego García, whom the United States had to return after mistakenly sending him to El Salvador, according to CNN en Español.
The Betancourt case is particularly sensitive because he had even lost his permanent residency due to criminal charges. Among those charges is a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one of the Trump administration’s priority immigration crackdowns.
Still, ICE attempted to deport Betancourt to Mexico last January, but Mexican authorities denied him entry due to his medical and mental health problems. Court documents reviewed by EFE confirm that Betancourt suffers from diabetes and requires medication and continuous care.
Trump, in his message, did not mention the criminal charges or his immigration history. He only highlighted the daughter’s effort and the freedom achieved. This stance contrasts with his usual hardline immigration position and confrontation with federal judges.
What Did Betancourt’s Daughter Do to Achieve His Release?
Betancourt’s daughter, Arianne, led the campaign to secure his release. She argued that her father had completed all sentences and had complied with ICE’s instructions to continuously appear before immigration authorities.
Arianne joined groups of protesters who are demonstrating against the unsanitary detention conditions at “Alligator Alcatraz”. She has pointed out that her father suffers from diabetes and requires medication and continuous care, conditions that are not guaranteed within the detention center.