Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of the 11-year-old nephew of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, has reportedly been arrested by ICE agents.
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Mother Of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s 11-Year-Old Nephew Reportedly Arrested By ICE Agents
According to CNN, Bruna Caroline Ferreira is a native of Brazil and was arrested near Boston on November 12. Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, reportedly confirmed this information with the outlet. Ferreira’s son reportedly lives full-time with his dad, Leavitt’s brother, Michael, in New Hampshire. Per a source, Ferreira and Karoline Leavitt have “not spoken in many years.”
Furthermore, the outlet reports that Ferreira was in the US illegally. She is accused of overstaying a tourist visa, which required her to leave the country in 1999, according to a source from the Department of Homeland Security. The source also reportedly accused Ferreira of having a “previous arrest for battery.”
However, Pomerleau disputed this information to the outlet. He reportedly stated that Ferreira “is not a ‘criminal illegal alien.'” Instead, he asserted that Ferreira was a former recipient of the DACA program. The program is also known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Furthermore, the program “grants temporary protection from deportation for those brought to the US as children.”
Per her lawyer, the mother was unable to renew her status and was currently pursuing the “lawful immigration process” for U.S. citizenship.
More On What’s Allegedly Happened To Bruna Caroline Ferreira
Per CNN, Ferreira was reportedly arrested while driving to pick up her son in New Hampshire. She reportedly shares joint custody of her son with Michael Leavitt. Furthermore, the outlet reports that she is currently being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile, Louisiana. Per the New York Post, the Department of Homeland Security source reportedly added that she is “in removal proceedings.”
Michael Leavitt reportedly told the press that his son hasn’t had contact with his mom since her detainment. Additionally, he stated that the situation is “difficult” and he only wants what’s best for his son.
Since her arrest, Ferreira’s sister has reportedly launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover her legal fees. To date, the campaign has raised over $21,000 of its $30,000 goal.
“Bruna’s absence has been especially painful for her 11-year-old son, Michael Leavitt Junior, who needs his mother and hopes every single day that she’ll be home in time for the holidays. We are asking for financial help to cover the legal fees and expenses needed to give Bruna the best possible chance to return home to her family. Any amount, no matter how small, will make a difference,” the campaign reads in part.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s Relative Detained by ICE
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, described by DHS as “a criminal illegal alien from Brazil,” was taken into custody in Revere after overstaying a tourist visa that expired in 1999.
She shares an 11-year-old son… pic.twitter.com/FeK6dnqt81
— ZIONS OF ISRAEL (@Israeli_Sniper) November 26, 2025
Has White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Reacted To The ICE Arrest Of Her 11-Year-Old Nephew’s Mother, Bruna Caroline Ferreira?
According to WMUR, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she had no comment when asked about Bruna Caroline Ferreira’s ICE arrest. Furthermore, per CNN, another member of Trump’s administration, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, reportedly recently explained to AP News that “DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country.” The outlet reports that other recipients have also been among those arrested in ICE sweeps.
