After going 5–5 with a 2.45 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 46 games (all in relief) with the Stockton Ports in 2004, Beltre earned his first invitation to spring training When he went to the U.S. embassy in January 2005 to pick up his work visa, consulate officials were waiting.

According to the Rangers' information, consulate officials soon discovered an inordinate number of young minor league ballplayers had been married in a short period to women who had previously been denied visas, raising a red flag.

Beltre immediately admitted guilt to his involvement in a human trafficking ring, and was assured that he would likely only receive a one-year exclusion, and that he would be able to reapply the following year.

[1] On February 12, 2010, he and pitcher Alexi Ogando, who was also involved in the human trafficking ring out of the Dominican Republic, were granted visas, and allowed to attend Spring training, arriving in the U.S. on the 16th.

[5] After spring training, he was assigned to the triple A Oklahoma City RedHawks of the Pacific Coast League, where he went 0–5 with a 2.39 ERA in fifteen games (five starts) before getting called up to the majors.