A German national who previously owned the viral pet squirrel Peanut has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, marking the latest development in a case involving the animal’s 2024 seizure and euthanization by New York state authorities.
ICE confirmed the detention of Daniela Bittner on Oct. 15 at New York’s Elmira Corning Regional Airport, according to federal records. Bittner, who entered the U.S. legally on a visa, was taken into custody while traveling with her husband, Mark Longo, who previously owned Peanut alongside her.
The couple had planned to attend a TikTok event when immigration officers approached them at the airport, Longo told reporters. Bittner remains in federal custody pending a possible deportation to Germany.
Longo alleges paperwork error behind detention
Longo stated that Bittner’s detention stems from what he described as a minor paperwork issue involving an immigration form. According to Longo, the couple submitted corrective documentation after receiving a request for additional information from authorities, but a subsequent denial letter cited an unspecified error in the filing.
"They had asked for additional information, which we provided, and then apparently they sent a letter stating that it was denied because we filed the wrong paperwork, which we never received," Longo told the New York Post.
Bittner entered the U.S. legally on multiple occasions between May 2021 and November 2022, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Longo added that Bittner has no criminal history and was facing deportation without a prior hearing.
Authorities cite overstaying visa as justification
A DHS spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that Bittner was detained because she "chose to overstay her welcome in defiance of our nation’s laws." The spokesperson did not provide further details on the specific visa violation or the timeline of Bittner’s immigration status.
The couple married in 2022, shortly after Bittner returned to Germany to resolve a prior visa situation. Longo did not specify whether the couple had filed for any immigration benefits together.
Background: Peanut the squirrel’s case
Peanut, a pet squirrel owned by Longo and Bittner, was seized by New York state wildlife officials in 2024 and subsequently euthanized. The case drew widespread attention after Longo and Bittner shared their story on social media, alleging that authorities acted without sufficient justification. The couple has indicated plans to sue New York State over the seizure and killing of Peanut, though no legal filings have been publicly confirmed as of this report.
New York state officials have not publicly commented on the specifics of Peanut’s case or the couple’s allegations. The Department of Environmental Conservation, which oversees wildlife enforcement in New York, did not respond to requests for comment.
Immigration status remains unresolved
As of this report, Bittner’s immigration status remains in limbo. Longo has described the situation as a bureaucratic error with severe consequences, while federal authorities have framed the detention as a matter of compliance with immigration laws. No further updates on Bittner’s case have been released by ICE or DHS.