Former president of Brazil applied for tourist visa to U. S.
2023.01.31 09:53
Former president of Brazil applied for tourist visa to U. S.
By Kristina Sobol
Budrigannews.com – In spite of calls for any U.S. visas held by Jair Bolsonaro to be revoked following violent protests in Brasilia, his lawyer said on Monday that the former president of Brazil has applied for a six-month tourist visa to remain in the United States.
His lawyer, Felipe Alexandre, stated that the United States of America received his application on Friday and that Bolsonaro will remain in the United States while his application is being processed.
In an email response to Reuters, Alexandre stated:
“He would like to take some time off, clear his head, and enjoy being a tourist in the United States for a few months before deciding what his next step will be.”
Alexandre went on to say:
“Whether or not he will use the full six months will be up to him and whatever strategy we agree to embark on based on his plans as they develop.”
The initial report that Bolsonaro had asked for a tourist visa came from the Financial Times.
According to a spokesperson for the State Department, visa records are protected by U.S. law and the department cannot discuss specific visa cases.
Before his supporters stormed the nation’s capital, far-right Bolsonaro flew to Florida two days before his term ended on January 1 and leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office.
Calling for a military coup to overturn Lula’s victory in the October election, supporters of Bolsonaro ransacked Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court, and presidential palace.
Brazil’s High Court has consented to open an examination concerning Bolsonaro for supposedly uplifting against vote based fights that finished in the raging of government structures by his allies in Brasilia.
On Thursday, 41 Democratic House members requested that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden cooperate with Brazil’s investigation into violent protests in Brasilia and revoke any U.S. visas held by Bolsonaro.
The State Department has repeatedly stated that it is against policy to discuss particular visa cases.
A person who entered the United States on a so-called “A” visa, which is reserved for diplomats and heads of state, must either leave the country within 30 days or apply for a change in immigration status if they are no longer engaged in official business, according to the State Department. It is believed that Bolsonaro entered on such a visa.
