Controversial influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have arrived in the United States after Romanian authorities lifted travel restrictions against them, despite ongoing human trafficking charges. The dual US-British citizens landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, around midday on Thursday, according to their spokesperson Mateea Petrescu.
The Tates were arrested in late 2022 and formally indicted last year on charges of participating in a criminal ring that lured women to Romania for sexual exploitation. Andrew Tate, 38, was also charged with rape. Both brothers deny all allegations. Romania's anti-organised crime agency, DIICOT, said prosecutors had "approved a request to change the travel restrictions" but did not specify who made the request.
"The defendants have been warned that deliberately violating these obligations may result in judicial control being replaced with a stricter deprivation-of-liberty measure," the statement added. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced his office would conduct a "preliminary inquiry" into the brothers, stating: "Florida has zero tolerance for human trafficking and violence against women. If any of these alleged crimes trigger Florida jurisdiction, we will hold them accountable.".
In a separate development, a court ruled to lift the seizure of multiple Tate assets, including luxury vehicles, properties, and company shares. All previously frozen bank accounts have also been unfrozen. "While some assets remain under precautionary seizure, this ruling marks a significant step toward justice," said Petrescu.
Andrew Tate, a former professional kickboxer with over 10 million followers on X, has repeatedly claimed Romanian prosecutors have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him. Both brothers are vocal supporters of US President Donald Trump.
The timing has raised questions after Romania's Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu revealed a Trump administration official had expressed interest in the brothers' case at the recent Munich Security Conference. Four British women who have accused Andrew Tate of sexual violence said in a joint statement that they are "in disbelief and feel re-traumatised" by the lifting of travel restrictions.
