Politics · Brazil · 6 hrs ago
US says Alexandre Ramagem violated immigration law and may be deported
The US says Alexandre Ramagem violated immigration law and remains subject to deportation.
Ramagem, a former head of Brazil’s intelligence agency and an ally of former president Jair Bolsonaro, is in the United States.
He entered on a tourist visa that expired, and US immigration officers detained him in Orlando in April before releasing him two days later without bail.
The US Department of Homeland Security says his asylum application does not give him legal status.
Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced him to 16 years in prison for his role in an attempted coup during Bolsonaro’s presidency.
Brazil has also requested his extradition, while the US has taken action against a Brazilian federal police officer who helped locate Ramagem.
His immigration case and Brazil’s extradition request remain unresolved, and he is still subject to deportation.
The US Department of Homeland Security says Alexandre Ramagem violated immigration law and remains subject to deportation.
The former Brazilian intelligence chief entered the United States on a tourist visa that had expired, and his asylum application does not give him legal status, according to the department.
US immigration officers detained Ramagem in Orlando in April, but he was released two days later without paying bail.
Brazilian authorities had requested his extradition, while the US State Department later removed a Brazilian federal police liaison involved in locating him.
- Who
- Alexandre Ramagem, a former director of Brazil’s intelligence agency.
- What
- The US Department of Homeland Security says he violated immigration law and may be deported.
- When
- The department’s statement was reported on October 21, 2026; Ramagem was detained in April.
- Where
- The United States, including Orlando, Florida, where he was detained.
- Why
- He stayed in the country after his tourist visa expired. The department said his asylum application did not give him legal status.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ramagem said in a video that he was in the United States with the local government’s knowledge and support.
US immigration officers detained Ramagem in Orlando over his immigration status.
Ramagem was released from custody without paying bail.
The US State Department suspended the credentials of Brazilian federal police liaison Marcelo Ivo de Carvalho.
Reports said the US Department of Homeland Security considered Ramagem’s stay unlawful and said he remained subject to deportation.
- US agency
- Department of Homeland Security
- Immigration status
- Tourist visa had expired
- Asylum application
- Does not give Ramagem legal status, according to DHS
- Detention
- Orlando, Florida
- Release
- April 15; no bail payment
- Brazilian sentence
- 16 years in prison, imposed by Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court
3 sources
What people are saying
Thank you, President Trump and everyone in the administration
In the words of even the American government to me: ‘How good that we have a friend who is safe here in the United States.’ So we have the support of the Americans