Journalists Question Ziobro’s Legal Status in US; State Department Cites “Friendship”

Following inquiries from Polish officials and media regarding Zbigniew Ziobro’s legal standing in the United States, American authorities have refused to provide details, citing diplomatic relations and visa confidentiality protocols.

Inquiry into Legal Grounds

Waldemar Żurek, acting in his capacity as a legal representative, has formally requested that David J. Venturelle, the acting head of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), clarify the legal basis for Zbigniew Ziobro’s current presence in the United States.

The former Deputy Minister of Justice faces 26 charges in Poland related to irregularities in the Justice Fund, including allegations of rigging competitions. Polish authorities have revoked both his standard and diplomatic passports, while Hungary has withdrawn his refugee status, rendering his Geneva passport invalid.

Bureaucratic Shuffle Between Agencies

Wirtualna Polska also contacted ICE, which requested specific identification numbers or a date of birth to track the subject within their system. Upon receiving the requested data, ICE redirected the inquiry to the US State Department.

The State Department declined to comment on specific visa matters. Instead, the agency highlighted the close political and social ties between the US and Poland, ultimately referring reporters back to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE for further information.

The “Foreign Media” Visa

Zbigniew Ziobro reportedly entered the United States on a visa designated for “members of the foreign media” while serving as a commentator for TV Republika. Reuters reports that the decision to issue this document was made at a high level within the US Department of Justice, allegedly involving former US Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau.