White House Insider Faces Allegations of Using Influence to Deport Ex-Girlfriend
A senior figure with close ties to the Trump White House is embroiled in controversy over accusations that he leveraged his position to orchestrate the deportation of his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his teenage son. Paolo Zampolli, 56, a modeling agent credited with bringing First Lady Melania Trump to the United States and serving as a special representative for global partnerships, allegedly reached out to immigration authorities to target Amanda Ungaro, a Brazilian model and former UN ambassador.
Allegations of Political Interference in Immigration Case
According to a report by The New York Times published on Friday, Zampolli contacted a top official at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in June 2025, inquiring if Ungaro could be placed in ICE detention. This move was purportedly aimed at aiding Zampolli in regaining custody of their 16-year-old son, following the breakdown of their two-decade relationship in 2023. The couple first met when Ungaro was 17 and Zampolli was 32.
Zampolli has vehemently denied these allegations, stating to the Daily Mail, "At no time did I request any favors from my colleagues. My inquiries were solely aimed at understanding the situation, and any advice I sought was strictly in relation to my son's safety." He further asserted that he did not report Ungaro to immigration authorities initially.
Background of the Case and Ungaro's Deportation
Ungaro, who has connections to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal through flights on his plane as a teenager, was arrested in Miami in June 2025 on fraud charges related to her employment at a Med Spa. She pleaded not guilty. The Times reported that Zampolli reached out to ICE official David Venturella, who then contacted the Miami office to ensure Ungaro would be detained by ICE agents before her potential release on bail. Venturella reportedly emphasized the case's importance due to Zampolli's White House connections.
After weeks in ICE custody, Ungaro requested deportation to Brazil in September 2025, fearing prolonged detention would jeopardize her custody rights. Their son initially moved to Brazil with her in November, with Zampolli's consent, but returned to the United States by the end of 2025. Zampolli now has custody of their son.
Official Denials and Legal Context
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement refuting any political favoritism, declaring, "Any suggestion that she was arrested and removed for political reasons or favors is FALSE." Officials cited that Ungaro was flagged for ICE detention due to an expired visa from 2019 and criminal charges. Sources familiar with the situation confirmed she was already under scrutiny by immigration authorities.
Melania Trump's spokesperson clarified that the First Lady "has no knowledge of, nor involvement in, the personal affairs of Mr. Zampolli and Ms. Ungaro." Ungaro expressed devastation over the allegations, telling The Times, "it's devastating that they could have affected what happened to me." Efforts by the Daily Mail to contact Ungaro have been unsuccessful as of the report's publication.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about the potential misuse of political influence in immigration matters, raising questions about transparency and fairness within the system.
