MIAMI — The daughters of Justo Betancourt, a Cuban immigrant who has lived in the U.S. for 36 years, are demanding answers after immigration officials detained him during what was supposed to be a routine check-in.
Betancourt is currently being held at the Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center. His family said he went to court Wednesday for his annual appointment but never returned home.
“When he went in, my sister and my aunt weren’t aware until hours later that they took him,” said Kannis Betancourt, his daughter.
The sisters described their father as a hardworking single parent who raised them alone and are now worried about his health.
“He’s a diabetic man who requires insulin twice a day,” said Arianne Betancourt, his eldest daughter. “The one time we spoke to him, they told him if he wanted insulin, he could get it in Mexico.”
According to the family, Betancourt was charged with conspiracy five years ago, but the case was later dropped — though he remained on probation. His daughters say he deserves compassion, not detention.
“We are all human,” Arianne said. “No matter what we’ve done or what mistakes we’ve made, everyone is capable of change and of being better. As a country, we should be better.”
The Betancourt family is now working with advocates to push for his release and to ensure he receives the medical care he needs while in custody.
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