During Bolsonaro’s campaign for president, the Brazilian Supreme Court unsealed court records confirming an investigation into him and other members of his family, who constitute a right-wing political dynasty in the South American country. After Bolsonaro’s surprise Sunday loss to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a longtime foe of the Bolsonaros, signaled that potential prosecutions were coming. He requested that Bolsonaro relinquish his passports and remain on Brazilian soil.
Brazilian lawmakers receive immunity from prosecution while in office, but Bolsonaro’s immunity, derived from his post as a senator, ended when he lost Sunday to Lula.
Under Brazilian law, Bolsonaro was prevented from running for reelection to the Brazilian Senate while also running for president.
While the Trump administration has made it more difficult for foreigners to migrate legally to the United States, the administration has made exceptions for simpatico foreign politicians and activists. The administration previously granted a visa to a fugitive Polish government minister facing corruption charges; he had been under the protection of the government of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Bolsonaro’s brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, already lives in the United States. Eduardo, who also faces corruption allegations, was granted permanent residence in the United States in July. Patriarch former President Jair Bolsonaro remains under house arrest in Brazil as he faces charges of fomenting a coup against Lula after his 2022 reelection defeat.
