Former Brazilian federal deputy Alexandre Ramagem was released on Wednesday (15) from ICE detention center in Orlando, Florida, two days after arrest by US immigration agents over an expired tourist visa. Allies celebrated the release, thanking President Donald Trump, as Brazil seeks his extradition for a coup-related conviction. His wife Rebeca Ramagem celebrated in a video and endorsed Flávio Bolsonaro's 2026 presidential bid.
Alexandre Ramagem, former Abin director and cassated deputy, was detained on Monday (13) in Orlando by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He had an expired tourist visa, subject to deportation, according to a US Department of Homeland Security document. The Federal Police stated the arrest stemmed from Brazil-US cooperation, but allies claim it began with a minor traffic infraction leading to a migration check.
Ramagem has lived in Florida since September 2025, after leaving Brazil clandestinely via the Guyana border in Bonfim (RR) during his STF trial. Sentenced to 16 years in prison for involvement in a coup attempt, his mandate was cassated by Congress in December 2025. The Justice Ministry requested extradition on December 30, 2025.
The release occurred without bail payment, with his migration status deemed regular due to a pending asylum request, according to ally Paulo Figueiredo who assisted. He thanked Trump: "Alexandre Ramagem is free. Thank you, President Trump and the entire administration." Eduardo Bolsonaro praised Trump and Marco Rubio, advocating asylum for Ramagem and his family.
Rebeca Ramagem posted a video with their daughters: "With God, we will always be by Ramagem's side... believing in Justice, without abuse or violence." She added: "Let's change this country... we need Flávio Bolsonaro as president."
President Lula stated: "He was a convicted coup plotter. He must return to Brazil to serve his sentence." Other allies, like Nikolas Ferreira and Jorge Seif Junior, expressed relief on social media.
