Amanda Ungaro, a Brazilian woman who spent nearly two decades in the United States and was a regular presence in social gatherings within circles linked to Donald Trump, has been deported after months in immigration detention, highlighting the reach of the administration’s renewed immigration policies.
Ungaro, 41, was deported in October after more than three months in custody. Her case is part of a broader wave of enforcement since Trump returned to office in January 2025, when he promised what he described as the largest deportation effort in U.S. history.
Arrest and legal case
Ungaro’s legal troubles began in June, when police arrested her at her home in Aventura, Florida. Authorities charged her and her husband, a Brazilian doctor, with fraud linked to a cosmetic clinic following anonymous complaints.
Ungaro denied the charges and said her deportation prevented her from defending herself in court. Her husband, who holds permanent residency, remains in the United States and is seeking a legal resolution.
Detention conditions described
Ungaro said she was held in difficult conditions during her detention. She described being restrained during transfers and placed in overcrowded facilities in Miami and later in Louisiana.
She said detainees had limited access to sunlight and included elderly individuals and others in need of medical care. U.S. authorities have not publicly responded to the specific claims.
Custody dispute adds pressure
The case has been complicated by a custody battle with her former partner, Paolo Zampolli, over their teenage son.
According to The New York Times, Zampolli contacted a senior official at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Ungaro’s detention. The report said he sought to ensure she remained in custody and was deported. Zampolli denied any involvement in influencing the process.
The couple separated in 2023 after nearly 20 years together. Ungaro has accused him of abuse, which he strongly denies. The dispute has since evolved into a prolonged legal conflict.
Past ties to the Trump circle
Ungaro’s case has drawn attention due to her past social connections. A former model and later a staff member at the United Nations, she had attended events linked to Trump’s circle, including gatherings at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
Despite these connections, immigration authorities proceeded with her detention and deportation.
From modeling to diplomacy
Ungaro began her career as a teenager after leaving her hometown of Londrina. She worked internationally before settling in New York.
After becoming a mother, she left modeling and later represented Grenada in diplomatic work at the United Nations. Her role included participation in international discussions on legal and security issues.
Early encounter linked to Epstein case
Ungaro also described an early experience from her modeling years. She said that in 2002, she traveled on a private jet linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein survivor Amanda Ungaro, who was deported by ICE in 2025:
“My paperwork and history of work for The United Nations did not stop the government from treating me like an animal.” pic.twitter.com/DYfVAiuwdm
— grizzy (@Furbeti) January 21, 2026
She said she had brief contact with Epstein and did not encounter him again. The episode forms part of a wider body of testimony connected to the Epstein case.
Life after deportation
Now back in Rio de Janeiro, Ungaro is working with lawyers while trying to rebuild her life. She has said she hopes to reunite with her son and resolve her legal battles.
Her case highlights how current immigration enforcement policies are affecting individuals with long-standing ties to the United States.
