Kamlager-Dove, Titus Lead Probe into Bolsonaro’s Entry into the U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), co-chair of the Congressional Brazil Caucus, and Dina Titus (NV-01) led 25 Members of Congress in demanding answers from the State Department about its role in facilitating the reported departure of Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro from Brazil and his entry into the United States, including providing him a visa, following a Brazilian Supreme Court order restricting his international travel. 

“The central question is straightforward: did the Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Brazil, or any other U.S. government agency assist Senator Bolsonaro in traveling to or entering the United States despite the reported Brazilian judicial restriction on his departure?” wrote the lawmakers. 

“The American people and Congress have a legitimate oversight interest in understanding whether U.S. diplomatic and immigration resources were used to facilitate the travel of a foreign political figure under these circumstances,” continued the lawmakers. 

“Transparency is particularly important where the reported events implicate a foreign judicial proceeding, sensitive bilateral relations, and the consistent application of U.S. immigration and diplomatic policies,” concluded the lawmakers.

The letter, which can be viewed in full here, raises a series of questions about whether U.S. officials were aware of, or involved in, arrangements for Bolsonaro’s departure and requests a congressional briefing by November 13.

In addition to Reps. Kamlager-Dove and Titus, the letter was signed by Reps. Castro, Casar, Ivey, Crockett, Jackson, Jayapal, Velázquez, Grijalva, Tlaib, Holmes Norton, McGovern, Quigley, Pocan, Stanton, García, Ansari, Ross, Lynch, Frankel, Casten, Pingree, Amo, and Ramirez. 

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