Joe Exotic faced his worst fear when authorities deported his husband, Jorge Flores Maldonado, to Mexico immediately after his prison release.
This dramatic development came just one month after the couple married behind bars. This drawned emotional reactions and renewed media attention.
Jorge Flores Maldonado deported after ICE hearing
Upon his release, Jorge was immediately picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and taken to a detention center.
Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, confirmed the news on Instagram. He shared a photo and a heartfelt caption about the separation.
Joe wrote: ‘They have officially taken him to an ICE detention Center for his hearing to either stay in America or go back to Mexico.’
TMZ reported that authorities deported Jorge just hours after the hearing.
Jorge was imprisoned for illegal reentry
Jorge had been serving time for “unlawfully reentering the U.S. after previous deportation,” The Sun reported in 2024.
Joe Exotic is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence.
The conviction stems from a murder-for-hire plot targeting rival animal rights activist Carole Baskin.
Joe’s major mistake was attempting to hire an undercover FBI agent to kill Carole Baskin by offering $10,000.
The Sun reported that authorities imprisoned him in 2024 for illegally reentering the U.S. after a prior deportation to Mexico.
The case gained worldwide attention through the hit 2020 Netflix docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.
Joe Exotic had hoped to build a future with Jorge after their prison release
Joe and Jorge announced their engagement in October. At the time, Joe said they were planning to seek asylum or leave America.
On social media, Joe shared a photo of his husband on Instagram with a long and heartfelt message.
‘You know, I could die tomorrow, and I could go knowing what true love was really all about,’ Joe began. ‘Jorge gave me the most loving and devoted 10 months of my life. I pray God will give me the chance to experience life with him again.’
Joe’s felony conviction, which includes attempted murder-related charges, may make entering Mexico difficult.
Mexican law permits officials to deny entry to individuals with serious criminal records. Officials particularly scrutinize offenses involving violence.
This could complicate any attempt to reunite with his husband.
“I could die tomorrow, and I’d go knowing what true love really feels like,” Joe wrote in a heartfelt caption.
He continued, “Jorge gave me the most loving and devoted 10 months of my life. I hope God reunites us someday.”
Joe also reflected on how fellow inmates respected their relationship for its sincerity and devotion, contrasting it with typical prison drama.
“We weren’t just causing drama or bed-hopping,” he explained. “Even the worst criminals saw our love was real and serious.”
Joe Exotic hopes Trump grants pardon for Mexico reunion
Joe again called on former President Donald Trump to grant him a pardon so he can live freely with Jorge — in either country.
“No matter where I am — Mexico or America — I just want to spend my last days with Jorge,” he pleaded.
Joe added, “I’m falsely incarcerated in my own country. I don’t belong here. I pray Trump signs my pardon soon.”
Joe previously revealed the marriage news in a radio interview with Australia’s 2DayFM Jimmy & Nath Show. He joked about their romantic prison ceremony.
He shared a photoshopped image of the couple wearing wedding suits. He said: “Never been prouder. Meet my husband Jorge Flores Maldonado.”
Back in October, Joe had introduced Jorge to fans online, gushing, “He is amazing and he’s from Mexico.”
Their whirlwind relationship led to a prison wedding after Joe submitted a marriage application through the federal prison system.
“I just wish I met him years ago,” Joe confessed.