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Colombian father detained at gas station despite pending asylum case, released after 16 days

Jul 24, 2026·Location: Doral, FL

Country of origin: Colombia

Colombian father detained at gas station despite pending asylum case, released after 16 days
Photo via CBS News

Carlos Hugo Betancur, a 52-year-old Colombian national, was detained by ICE on July 8, 2026, while pumping gas at a Marathon station in Doral on his way to work. An immigration officer approached him from behind, asked for identification, and detained him after he provided his Florida driver's license. Betancur had filed a political asylum application in January 2023 and possessed both an employment authorization card and a Florida driver's license. He spent 8 days at the Miramar Processing Center and 8 days at Krome Detention Center before being released on electronic monitoring. At Miramar, he described severe overcrowding, with 93 to 104 detainees held in a single room with insufficient space for everyone to sit or sleep simultaneously. His daughter, Maria Alejandra Betancur, disputed the detention, noting he had valid asylum and work authorization documents. He is now required to wear an ankle monitor while his immigration case proceeds before an immigration judge.

Timeline

Jul 24, 2026—Betancur released on electronic monitoring after 16 days in custody
Jul 16, 2026—Betancur transferred to Krome Detention Center after 8 days at Miramar
Jul 8, 2026—Betancur detained by ICE at Marathon gas station in Doral; held at Miramar Processing Center
Jan 2023—Betancur filed political asylum application
Feb 16, 2022—Carlos Betancur arrived in the United States
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