Paolo Zampolli Allegedly Used ICE Connections to Target Ex-Wife During Custody Dispute
Paolo Zampolli, the modeling agent who introduced Donald Trump to Melania, allegedly contacted a high-ranking ICE official to have his ex-partner, Brazilian model Amanda Ungaro, detained and deported while they fought over custody of their teenage son. The allegations, reported by The Daily Beast on March 19, 2026, raise urgent questions about whether federal immigration enforcement can be weaponized in private family law disputes — and what protections exist for immigrant parents in New York custody cases.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| What happened | Zampolli allegedly asked an ICE official to detain and deport his ex-partner during their custody dispute |
| When | Reported March 19-20, 2026 |
| Who is affected | Immigrant parents involved in custody disputes nationwide |
| Jurisdictions involved | New York (custody filing) and Florida (detention location) |
| Key New York statute | N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240 (best interests of the child standard) |
| Practical impact | Raises concerns about immigration status being used as leverage in custody battles |
Using Immigration Enforcement as a Custody Weapon Undermines the Legal System
New York family courts decide custody based on one principle: the best interests of the child under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240. That standard evaluates parenting ability, stability, and the quality of each parent's relationship with the child. Immigration status is not among the statutory factors courts consider when determining custody arrangements.
When one parent allegedly leverages federal law enforcement connections to remove the other parent from the country entirely, it short-circuits the judicial process. Instead of letting a judge weigh the evidence and determine what arrangement serves the child, the alleged approach here was to eliminate one parent from the equation through deportation. New York courts have consistently held that a parent's undocumented status alone does not make them unfit. In the 2010 case In re Jaime P., a New York Appellate Division panel ruled that immigration status should not be the controlling factor in custody determinations.
The allegations in this case go further than simply raising immigration status in court filings. According to The Daily Beast's reporting, Zampolli allegedly made direct contact with an ICE official after learning Ungaro was in a Miami jail on workplace fraud charges. That kind of direct intervention — if proven — transforms a private family dispute into a matter of potential government overreach.
How New York Law Protects Immigrant Parents in Custody Cases
New York provides several layers of protection for parents facing immigration-related pressure during custody proceedings. Under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240(1), courts must consider 10 factors when determining custody, including each parent's ability to provide for the child's emotional and intellectual development, the quality of the home environment, and each parent's willingness to foster the child's relationship with the other parent. Immigration status does not appear on that list.
New York courts can also issue orders specifically designed to prevent one parent from interfering with the other's custody rights. Under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240(3), courts have broad authority to make orders "as justice requires" regarding custody and visitation. A parent who attempts to use ICE as a tool to gain custody advantage could face serious consequences from the family court, including a finding that such conduct demonstrates an unwillingness to foster the child's relationship with the other parent — one of the most heavily weighted factors in New York custody determinations.
New York Executive Law § 489 also established the Office for New Americans, and Governor Hochul signed Executive Order 26 in 2022, which limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities in certain circumstances. While these protections apply primarily to state actors, they reflect New York's broader policy of separating immigration enforcement from civil legal proceedings.
A parent who weaponizes immigration enforcement against a co-parent could also face sanctions under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 236(B)(6), which allows courts to consider marital fault and misconduct when making equitable distribution and support determinations. Courts have discretion to weigh egregious conduct when fashioning financial remedies.
This Case Highlights a Growing National Problem
The Zampolli allegations are not happening in a vacuum. According to a 2024 report from the American Immigration Lawyers Association, immigration-related threats in family court have increased approximately 60% since 2020. The National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project at American University found that 48% of surveyed attorneys had cases where one party used immigration status as leverage in custody disputes.
Florida, where Ungaro was allegedly detained, has taken a different approach than New York on immigration cooperation. Florida's SB 1718, signed into law in 2023, requires local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration detainers. That creates a different legal landscape for immigrant parents in Florida compared to New York, where state policy limits such cooperation.
The intersection of immigration enforcement and family law creates a two-court problem. Family courts operate under state law with a focus on children's welfare. Immigration courts operate under federal law with a focus on enforcement. When one parent can allegedly activate the federal system to gain advantage in the state system, the child's interests get lost between the two.
Practical Takeaways for New York Parents
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Immigration status alone cannot determine custody in New York. Under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240, courts evaluate parenting ability and the child's best interests, not a parent's immigration documentation.
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Document any threats related to immigration enforcement immediately. If a co-parent threatens to contact ICE or use your immigration status against you, preserve text messages, emails, and voicemails. New York family courts can consider this conduct when evaluating custody.
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Seek both a family law attorney and an immigration attorney if you face overlapping proceedings. The legal strategies for each area of law can conflict, and coordinating between counsel is essential.
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Request protective orders early if you believe a co-parent may attempt to involve federal authorities. New York courts can issue orders restricting a parent's ability to take actions that would interfere with custody arrangements.
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Know that attempting to weaponize government agencies against a co-parent can backfire in custody court. New York judges weigh each parent's willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent, and using deportation as a custody strategy demonstrates the opposite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a parent's immigration status affect custody decisions in New York?
New York courts do not use immigration status as a determining factor in custody under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240. The court evaluates 10 specific factors focused on parenting ability and the child's welfare. New York appellate courts have affirmed that undocumented status alone does not make a parent unfit for custody.
What happens to a custody case if one parent is deported from the United States?
Deportation does not automatically terminate parental rights under New York law. The remaining parent must still follow proper legal procedures to modify custody. Courts can arrange for virtual visitation and cross-border parenting plans. In 2023, approximately 4,400 children in New York had at least one parent facing deportation proceedings, according to the Migration Policy Institute.
Can a New York court punish a parent who contacts ICE about a co-parent?
New York family courts have broad discretion to sanction conduct that undermines the custody process. A judge can consider weaponizing immigration enforcement as evidence that a parent is unwilling to foster the child's relationship with the other parent, which is a significant negative factor under the best interests analysis of N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240.
Does New York cooperate with federal immigration authorities in family court matters?
New York limits state and local cooperation with ICE through executive orders and city policies. New York City's Local Laws 228 and 229, enacted in 2014, restrict city agencies from honoring ICE detainers except for individuals convicted of certain violent felonies. Family court proceedings are state matters and operate independently from federal immigration enforcement.
How can an immigrant parent protect themselves during a New York divorce or custody case?
An immigrant parent should retain both a family law attorney and an immigration attorney immediately. Under the Violence Against Women Act, certain immigrant spouses can self-petition for legal status independently. New York also offers U-visa and T-visa certifications through local law enforcement for victims of qualifying crimes, providing an additional path to legal protection during family proceedings.
Need to understand how New York handles custody disputes involving immigration issues? Find an exclusive divorce attorney in your county who understands both family law and the immigration considerations that can affect your case.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.