An emotional social media post by “Tiger King” star Joe Exotic has thrown the spotlight on the fate of his newlywed husband, Jorge Flores Maldonado.

According to the New York Post, Maldonado, a Mexican national, was deported to Mexico just hours after an immigration hearing at an ICE detention center following his release from federal prison in Texas.

The couple, who tied the knot only a few weeks ago while both were locked up in Texas, was separated after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detained Maldonado for immigration crimes. Exotic—whose real name is Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage—is currently serving a 21-year sentence for hiring a hitman in a failed murder plot and violating wildlife laws.

ICE Detention and Rapid Deportation Leaves Joe Exotic Pleading

Maldonado’s removal comes after he was reportedly caught driving a car with six other undocumented immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border, according to federal court documents cited in the report. Maldonado had already been serving time for immigration offenses before being transferred to ICE custody for a hearing to determine whether he could remain in the United States.

Just hours after that hearing, Maldonado was deported to Mexico, a development that Exotic made public on Instagram, sharing his frustration and heartbreak.

The reality television personality has turned to social media to plead for help from President Donald Trump and his administration, urging them to intervene in his husband’s case.

Joe Exotic’s Desperate Appeals to Trump Administration

Exotic, now 63, took to Instagram to post a photo with Maldonado, writing that ICE had taken his husband for a hearing that would decide his fate. He tagged President Trump and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, asking for compassion and referencing the hardships he has already faced, including losing his life’s work and his parents.

As posted by Joe Exotic on Instagram:

@potus @stephenm don’t you think between losing my life’s work. My parents and now this that I’ve suffered enough and it’s time to watch season 2 of Tiger King and see they admitted on world television the committed perjury and let me go

The “Tiger King” star expressed his willingness to join Maldonado in Mexico if released, adding in a previous post that he had been working on getting his new husband asylum in the United States.

Marriage Behind Bars and Lingering Uncertainty

Exotic and Maldonado were married inside a federal facility in Texas, highlighting the unusual setting of their relationship. The wedding took place while Exotic was still serving a long prison sentence, which drew public attention following the 2020 Netflix series *Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness*.

Before being taken to his ICE hearing, Maldonado reportedly gave Exotic an abstract drawing as a keepsake. Exotic later posted the drawing on social media, telling his followers that he had forgotten to share what Jorge had left for him.

ICE officials did not immediately comment, and the agency’s actions have raised questions about what lies ahead for the couple.

Social Media Reactions and Next Steps for Joe Exotic

Exotic’s Instagram posts have drawn support from fans, with some expressing hope that he will win his appeal and eventually reunite with his husband. However, Exotic has stated he would have “no problem going to Mexico” with Maldonado should he himself be released from prison.

The case has added another layer to Exotic’s already tumultuous life, marked by his high-profile conviction and the drama that surrounded his feud with Carole Baskin.

Joe Exotic and Jorge Maldonado Face Uncertain Future After Deportation

Joe Exotic’s husband, Jorge Flores Maldonado, was deported to Mexico after being released from federal prison and undergoing an ICE immigration hearing in Texas. Maldonado’s removal follows his conviction for immigration-related offenses, and the couple’s marriage just weeks earlier has now been interrupted by his deportation.

Exotic remains incarcerated, publicly appealing to President Trump and administration officials for a reprieve, while expressing a willingness to leave the U.S. and join his husband if released. The next steps for the pair remain unclear, as Exotic continues his sentence and Maldonado adjusts to life back in Mexico.

Why This Story Matters

This story shines a spotlight on the intersection of immigration law, criminal justice, and media attention. With a high-profile figure like Joe Exotic involved, legal proceedings that are often overlooked gain new visibility. That attention can inspire deeper conversations about fairness in the legal system and the human impact of deportation policies.

Conclusion

Jorge Flores Maldonado, the incarcerated husband of “Tiger King” star Joe Exotic, was deported to Mexico after a hearing with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement determined he could not remain in the country. The couple had recently married while both were behind bars, and Exotic has since vocally pleaded for help from political leaders. Maldonado had been in custody for transporting undocumented immigrants and was released from prison just before his deportation. Exotic, who is serving a 21-year prison sentence related to a murder-for-hire scheme and wildlife violations, expressed deep sorrow over the loss and suggested he would consider moving to Mexico if released.