Overview
- Records obtained by The New York Times and a person familiar with the communications indicate Zampolli contacted a top ICE official about placing his ex-partner in detention.
- ICE official David Venturella then called the agency’s Miami office to arrange pickup from jail before she could post bail, according to the report.
- Amanda Ungaro was transferred to ICE custody and later deported, an outcome the report notes might have occurred regardless of any intervention.
- Zampolli denied seeking special favors, and the Department of Homeland Security said Ungaro was detained over an expired visa after a fraud charge, rejecting any political motive.
- Zampolli is a longtime Trump ally who holds a White House-linked representative role, and the episode has intensified scrutiny of access and influence over federal agencies.