Brazilian Model Alleges Political Interference Led to Her Deportation from the United States
A Brazilian model has made explosive allegations claiming she was detained and deported from the United States following a request linked to a close associate of former US President Donald Trump. The 41-year-old model, Amanda Ungaro, asserts that her former partner, Paolo Zampolli, utilized his powerful political connections to orchestrate her immigration detention and subsequent removal to Brazil as part of a conspiracy to gain advantage in their ongoing custody dispute over their 16-year-old son.
Allegations of Abuse of Power and Political Influence
Ungaro detailed her ordeal in an interview with the Spanish newspaper 'El País' from her home in Rio de Janeiro. "It was not enough for him to destroy me during 20 years of relationship: he wanted to destroy me again when I started a new life, when I got married," she stated, expressing her frustration and pain. According to her account, the events unfolded in June 2025 when she was arrested in Miami alongside her current husband, a Brazilian doctor, over alleged fraud connected to a cosmetic clinic. Ungaro has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and emphasized that she had no prior criminal record.
She described a dramatic scene where approximately ten officers "stormed" their residence before taking them into custody. At the time of her arrest, Ungaro's most recent US visa had expired in 2019, leaving her without legal immigration status. Reporting by The New York Times revealed that Zampolli contacted a senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official to inquire about transferring her into ICE custody. During that conversation, the case was characterized as important to "someone close to the White House," suggesting potential political pressure.
Harsh Conditions in Immigration Detention
Ungaro alleges that her former partner exploited her immigration status as leverage in their bitter custody battle. She recounted being handcuffed and transported to an immigration detention center in Miami, where she spent "the whole day crying." Her description of the detention conditions paints a grim picture of overcrowded and unsanitary facilities.
She claimed she was held alongside violent offenders, including individuals accused of child murder, and witnessed distressing scenes such as an elderly detainee restrained to a wheelchair and a woman who miscarried while awaiting medical attention. Ungaro also noted that several detainees possessed legal residency status, raising questions about the fairness of the detention process.
After enduring more than three months in custody, she was transferred to Louisiana before being deported to Brazil. "It was a hall with more than 120 people, the floor was wet, there were no windows, four days without seeing the sun… I came out infested with lice," she lamented. Ungaro returned to Brazil with nothing but her prison uniform, having left her home country at age 13 to pursue a modeling career in the United States.
Denials and Official Responses
Paolo Zampolli, a long-time friend of Donald Trump who served as a White House envoy and famously introduced Melania Trump to Donald Trump in the 1990s, has categorically denied the allegations. In a statement to the Daily Beast, he asserted, "My relationship with the biological mother of my son was very difficult. I stick around for my son because in Italy, normally you have a father and a mother." He maintained that he did not request any special treatment and only sought information about the legal proceedings.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also rejected claims of political interference, stating that Ungaro's detention and deportation were solely due to her expired visa and the fraud charges against her. A spokesperson for Melania Trump clarified that she "has no knowledge of, nor involvement in, the personal affairs of Mr. Zampolli and Ms. Ungaro," and confirmed she has had no contact with ICE regarding this matter.
Broader Context and Implications
Zampolli's name has previously surfaced in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, though he has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the late financier. This case highlights ongoing concerns about the potential misuse of political influence in personal and legal disputes, particularly within the context of immigration enforcement. As Ungaro continues to fight for custody of her son from Brazil, her allegations underscore the complex interplay between personal vendettas, political connections, and the US immigration system.
