Peanut the Squirrel’s Co-Owner Held in Texas Detention, Faces Possible Deportation

"You're telling me, all of this because my wife and I forgot to do the proper form?" he said in a phone interview.

The squirrel that became a campaign talking point

Peanut, also known as P'nut, was an orphaned squirrel whose antics made him a social media star. State officials received complaints that the couple were illegally keeping wild animals at home, including the squirrel and a raccoon.

During one inspection, Peanut bit the gloved thumb of a wildlife biologist. New York wildlife officers euthanized him two years ago so he could be tested for rabies.

Republicans seized on the case. JD Vance, at a rally just before the 2024 election, said: "The same government that doesn't care about hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrant criminals coming into our country doesn't want us to have pets." Critics also targeted New York's Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul.

Longo said he tries to stay out of politics. He said local officials have been looking into his wife's case, and that he has spoken about it with UFC chief Dana White, a longtime ally of Trump whom he met after Peanut was taken.

"They put Peanut on a pedestal, won their election, and threw him off that pedestal immediately," Longo said.

The couple run an animal sanctuary. Longo said it would have to close if Bittner is deported.

"The only outcome that will save this place is my wife not being deported," he said.