After spending more than nine months in immigration detention in Arizona, 79-year-old Cuban Julia Benítez Pérez, affectionately called “Grandma” by fellow detainees at the Eloy Detention Center, was finally released this Thursday.
Her release concludes a long period of confinement that drew significant media attention due to her advanced age and her family’s claims that her dementia symptoms worsened while in detention.
Upon stepping outside, Julia expressed her relief in an interview with Telemundo Arizona, saying, “Well, imagine, after nearly a year of being locked up there, I feel really good.” She also acknowledged her cognitive challenges, admitting, “I forget things sometimes.”
There has yet to be an official explanation for the specific reason behind her release.
Throughout the ordeal, her daughter, Dayana Cosme Benítez, closely followed the situation from South Florida. In a phone interview with Telemundo Arizona after hearing the news, she described the moment for both of them: “She feels that freedom as the greatest thing in her life. It feels like the greatest gift God has given to her and me.” Moved, she added a message to her mother: “Give many thanks to God for this today.”
An Unexpectedly Prolonged Detention
Julia entered the United States in May 2025 through the Port of Entry at Lukeville, Arizona, seeking political asylum after leaving Cuba. According to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), she was arrested on May 8 near that area for crossing the border “illegally” and was placed in custody on May 10.
Her family initially believed that her age and medical condition would allow her to undergo the immigration process in Florida with her daughter. “I thought there would be more flexibility, and they would let her stay with me, but that wasn’t the case,” her daughter previously told Telemundo Arizona.
However, an immigration judge denied her the possibility of a bond hearing, ruling that she was subject to mandatory detention after entering without formal authorization.
Deterioration During Detention
One of the most distressing aspects of her case was Julia’s cognitive state. Her daughter noted that medical reports from Cuba already indicated dementia symptoms, but they became more pronounced during her detention.
“As long as I have strength, I will continue to give her hope. I can’t let her feel sad. She can’t see her daughter sad because then she falls apart,” her daughter explained. During conversations, Julia often seemed confused. “Once she asked if we were in a province in Cuba, and I had to tell her, ‘no, no, we’re here,’” her daughter recounted. On other occasions, she simply asked when she would be released.
The Arizona Daily Star reported that Julia spent much of her time in a wheelchair, which she hadn’t needed before her arrest, and other detainees helped her move around and connect with her family via video calls. At the Eloy Detention Center—located about 50 miles northwest of Tucson—she was known as “Grandma.”
Political Attention and ICE's Response
The case drew the attention of Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, who visited Julia at the detention center. “She’s extremely confused; she thought we were there to take her home,” Grijalva told Telemundo Arizona, her voice breaking.
She added: “It was heartbreaking because when we left, she thought we were there to bring her home. I can’t imagine what her family is going through, unable to come and see her here.”
ICE defended the medical care provided at its facilities. In statements to Telemundo, the agency said: “It is a standard practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an illegal alien is taken into ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, and mental health assessments within the first 12 hours of arrival at each detention center, a complete health evaluation within 14 days of being taken into custody or arriving at a facility, as well as access to medical appointments and emergency care 24/7.” They added that Julia “is no exception.”
A Past That Influenced Her Asylum Request
Julia’s story is also marked by a tragic event in 1991 when her husband, Daniel Cosme Ramos, was killed by Cuban border guards while attempting to escape the island by sea, a case documented as a forced disappearance. After publicly denouncing the incident, the family claims they faced surveillance, harassment, and discrimination in Cuba, factors that are part of her asylum request.
What began as a plea for protection turned into over nine months of detention for a 79-year-old woman with memory issues. Now free, her testimony is brief but powerful: after nearly a year of confinement, she feels “very good.” For her daughter, who maintained hope from afar, this release represents— in her own words— “the greatest gift God has given.”
Key Questions About Julia Benítez Pérez's Detention and Release
What led to Julia Benítez Pérez's release from ICE detention?
The specific reason for her release has not been officially disclosed. However, her prolonged detention received media attention, which may have contributed to her release.
Why was Julia initially detained by ICE?
Julia was arrested by ICE for allegedly crossing the border illegally after seeking political asylum in the United States, leading to her detention.
How did Julia's detention impact her health?
Her family reported that her dementia symptoms worsened during her detention, and she often appeared confused and disoriented.