Flávio Bolsonaro, a Brazilian presidential candidate under multiple criminal investigations, fled to Florida on a private jet arranged by a White House official. U.S. border agents allowed him and his family to enter on parole, typically granted for humanitarian reasons, after landing in Miami. President Trump confirmed Bolsonaro was given “a pass” to enter the country. The White House and State Department referred inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security, which stated Bolsonaro and his family were inspected and released per immigration procedures.
Public records suggest he presented a canceled Brazilian diplomatic passport upon arrival. The State Department planned to issue visas for Bolsonaro and his family. He is expected to apply for permanent residency, a green card, which would be processed quickly, similar to his younger brother Eduardo, who received expedited approval in July.
Eduardo, a Texas resident with close ties to the Trump administration, also obtained permanent residency rapidly. Flávio Bolsonaro left Brazil after police requested his passports due to a money laundering investigation. Though not formally charged, he will lose parliamentary immunity in early 2027 after losing the presidential election to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
He could then face prosecution. His flight route included stops in Argentina and Ecuador before reaching Miami, all on a jet arranged by White House communications official Jason Miller. Eduardo Bolsonaro had been in contact with Miller.
The plan was initiated Monday after Bolsonaro was told to surrender his passports. Trump did not publicly address the private jet arrangement.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing