Brazilian Supreme Court ministers skip World Cup travel over US visa fears

Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) ministers have been avoiding trips to the United States for the World Cup, fearing that the Magnitsky Act could block their entry. The concern intensified after the U.S. imposed visa restrictions on minister Alexandre de Moraes last year; although the ban was later lifted after President Lula’s intervention, uncertainty remains for other justices such as Luiz Fux, André Mendonça and Nunes Marques.

Ex‑minister Luís Roberto Barroso said the United States’ visa stance “is unpleasant and unfair, but it is a discretionary decision of each country.” The episode underscores how external sanctions can limit the mobility of high‑level judges and affect Brazil’s participation in major international events.