Key facts
- Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has received permanent U.S. residency.
- He stated the green card was granted under the EB-1A category for individuals with extraordinary abilities.
- Bolsonaro has been accused of lobbying against his father's conviction and was sentenced to prison in Brazil.
- He claims he moved to the U.S. to protect himself from unjust persecution.
- A 25% tariff on select Brazilian imports is scheduled to take effect soon.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro and an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, announced on Monday that he has received permanent U.S. residency, commonly referred to as a green card. Bolsonaro stated that the residency was granted under the EB-1A category, which is for individuals with extraordinary abilities.
He indicated that the application process began approximately one year ago. Bolsonaro has maintained ties with U.S. conservatives and the Trump administration. He has faced accusations of lobbying against his father's conviction in Brazil, related to attempts to overturn the 2022 election results, in which Jair Bolsonaro was defeated by current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The elder Bolsonaro was sentenced to over 27 years in prison for plotting a military coup.
Eduardo Bolsonaro explained that his move to the U.S. was to protect himself from what he described as unjust persecution by Brazil's Supreme Court, not to assist his father. In June, the court sentenced Eduardo Bolsonaro to four years and two months in prison after finding him guilty of soliciting U.S. interference in his father's trial. Political opponents have accused Eduardo and his brother, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, of working against Brazil in the U.S., which critics suggest may have contributed to U.S. tariffs on certain Brazilian goods. A 25% tariff on select Brazilian imports is scheduled to take effect on Wednesday. Both Eduardo and Flavio Bolsonaro have denied asking the Trump administration to impose tariffs on Brazilian exports.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, who was already authorized to work in the U.S. prior to receiving his green card, stated that he will only return to Brazil if granted amnesty. "At least here I am free," he said.