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Former Brazilian Intelligence Chief Released from ICE Custody

Alexandre Ramagem, a key ally of Jair Bolsonaro, is no longer in U.S. immigration detention following his arrival in Florida.

ImmigrationPublished April 16, 2026 at 11:00 AMProcessed April 16, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Alexandre Ramagem, wearing a white Polo shirt and standing in front of a Brazilian flag, smiles at the camera. Next to him, with his hand placed on Ramagem's shoulder, is Jair Bolsonaro. He is wearing a yellow-and-green football shirt

Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of Brazil's intelligence agency (Abin) and a close associate of former President Jair Bolsonaro, has been released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Ramagem, who fled to the United States in September 2025, was briefly detained by immigration agents in Orlando, Florida, earlier this week.

While ICE has remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics of his detention and subsequent release, his status as a detainee has been cleared. Ramagem is currently sought by Brazilian authorities, who sentenced him to 16 years in prison for his alleged involvement in an attempted military coup following the 2022 election.

He also faces ongoing investigations into claims that he used his intelligence post to monitor political opponents, allegations he has consistently denied.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of the former president, celebrated the release on social media, characterizing Ramagem as a 'national hero' facing political persecution and expressing gratitude toward President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their handling of the situation.

The Brazilian government, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, continues to demand his extradition to serve his sentence. President Trump has previously criticized the legal proceedings against Bolsonaro and his allies, labeling the investigations a 'witch hunt.'

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