US Immigration Authorities Deflect Inquiries Into Zbigniew Ziobro’s Legal Status

After Polish officials and journalists questioned US immigration authorities regarding Zbigniew Ziobro’s legal standing in the country, American agencies cited diplomatic ties and data confidentiality to avoid providing specific answers.

Formal Inquiries and Document Revocations

Waldemar Zurek, acting as Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General, formally requested that David J. Venturelli, head of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), clarify the legal basis for Zbigniew Ziobro’s presence in the United States. Ziobro currently faces 26 charges in Poland related to irregularities in the Justice Fund, including alleged bid rigging.

Polish authorities have revoked both Ziobro’s standard and diplomatic passports. Additionally, Hungary, where the politician had been residing since last December, has revoked his refugee status, thereby invalidating his Geneva passport.

Bureaucratic Evasion and Data Confidentiality

Following a request from Wirtualna Polska, ICE initially requested Ziobro’s alien identification number or date of birth to check their systems. After receiving the data, ICE redirected the inquiry to the US Department of State.

The State Department declined to provide specifics, citing the “centuries-old friendship” between the US and Poland and stating that visa records remain confidential. They subsequently referred inquiries back to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE.

Visa Status as a Media Commentator

Zbigniew Ziobro entered the United States on an I-visa designated for members of the foreign media, acting as a commentator for TV Republika. According to Reuters, the decision to issue the document reportedly involved high-level input from the US Department of Justice, specifically attributed to former US Ambassador Christopher Landau.