A significant family connection has emerged involving Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary, and a recent arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Her nephew’s mother, Bruna Ferreira, is currently in custody at an ICE facility in Louisiana following her arrest in Revere, Massachusetts earlier this month. Ferreira, who migrated to the United States from Brazil as a child, has been apprehended amid broader enforcement actions across the country.
According to sources, Ferreira is the mother of a child with Michael Leavitt, Karoline Leavitt’s brother. The couple has been estranged for approximately ten years, and their son has lived full-time with Michael Leavitt in New Hampshire since his birth. A Trump administration official confirmed the familial relationship and noted that the child’s parents have not been in contact during this period.
Michael Leavitt expressed deep concern for his son’s safety and privacy. He has chosen not to comment further on the situation. An official from the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, stated that Ferreira has a prior arrest for battery and entered the U.S. on a tourist visa which required her to depart by 1999. McLaughlin added, “Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation.”
Despite McLaughlin’s comments, no records of battery charges against Ferreira could be found in Massachusetts’ online court databases.
Community Support and Legal Challenges
In light of her arrest, Ferreira’s sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, initiated a GoFundMe campaign aimed at raising funds for legal representation to contest the ICE charges and seek to allow Ferreira to remain in the U.S. The campaign highlights that Ferreira has maintained her legal status through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, designed for individuals who entered the country as children.
The GoFundMe page describes Ferreira as a dedicated and caring individual who has consistently worked hard to support her family and friends. Dos Santos Rodrigues emphasized Ferreira’s character, stating, “She is hardworking, kind, and always the first to offer help when someone needs it.”
As the situation unfolds, Leavitt has declined to comment on her family member’s legal troubles, and the White House has not addressed any potential implications from this connection.
The implications of this case could resonate beyond personal affairs, touching on broader immigration policies and enforcement practices that have drawn significant political attention in recent years. As the public discourse around immigration continues to evolve, Ferreira’s situation may serve as a focal point for discussions surrounding the enforcement of ICE actions and the experiences of families navigating the legal complexities of immigration.
