Cuban immigrant detained seven months, suffered stroke in ICE custody, released after judge's order
May 15, 2026·Location: Miami, FL
Country of origin: Cuba

Justo Betancourt, a 54-year-old Cuban national who entered the U.S. in 1990 and held lawful status, was detained by ICE on October 29, 2025, during a routine annual immigration check-in. He was held for approximately seven months at the South Florida Detention Facility (Alligator Alcatraz) in the Florida Everglades, despite being unable to be readily deported to Cuba. During detention, he was shackled up to 23 hours daily and denied proper medical care despite having diabetes, neuropathy, heart and blood pressure issues, suffering strokes, cardiac arrest, and significant health deterioration. His daughter Arianne organized weekly vigils outside the facility for 44 weeks to advocate for his release. On May 13, 2026, U.S. District Judge Kyle Dudek granted his habeas corpus petition, finding his detention was erroneous and unlawful, and ordered his release within 48 hours. Betancourt was released on May 14-15, 2026.
Timeline
Sources
- Trump welcomes release of Alligator Alcatraz detainee Justo Betancourt
Newsweek·Jun 1, 2026·archived copy
- Release of South Florida Cuban man from
- Trump celebrates release of Cuban man from months in detention at Alligator Alcatraz
independent.co.uk·Jun 1, 2026·archived copy
- Seattle Times
- Florida sheriffs criticize federal mass deportation efforts
WLRN·Mar 17, 2026·archived copy
- ‘It feels like a mockery’: Justo Betancourt, a former detainee at Alligator Alcatraz who received a congratulations note from Trump
english.elpais.com·Jun 4, 2026·archived copy
- Cuban family left baffled after being mentioned by Trump on social media
en.cibercuba.com·Jun 2, 2026·archived copy
- Cuban Man Freed After Six Months in Alligator Alcatraz: A Story of Chains and Injustice
cubaheadlines.com·May 16, 2026·archived copy
- ecf.flmd.uscourts.gov
- Miami Herald
- Trump sends a message to man who won his freedom from Alligator Alcatraz
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