A woman whose son is the nephew of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been taken into custody by federal immigration authorities. Bruna Ferreira, 33, was apprehended by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this month in Revere, Massachusetts.
Ferreira, who came to the United States from Brazil as a young child, is currently being held at a detention facility in Louisiana. According to family members, she was detained while leaving her home to pick up her son from school. Her sister stated that agents surrounded Ferreira’s vehicle and that she was unable to produce identification at the time of the arrest.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the detention, stating Ferreira is considered “a criminal illegal alien from Brazil” with a prior arrest record. The spokesperson noted she originally entered on a tourist visa that expired decades ago and is now in removal proceedings. The statement reiterated the administration’s policy that all individuals unlawfully present in the country are subject to deportation.
The child she shares with Michael Leavitt, the press secretary’s brother, resides full-time with his father in New Hampshire. A source close to the White House official emphasized that Leavitt has had no contact with Ferreira for years and that her primary concern is the child’s welfare.
Ferreira’s legal representative has stated she was in the process of seeking citizenship and had maintained her immigration standing through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Federal officials have countered that DACA status does not provide legal immunity from deportation.
A fundraising effort organized by Ferreira’s family to support her legal defense has garnered significant financial support. Her sister describes Ferreira as a long-time resident who is deeply integrated into her community, having lived in the Boston area for most of her life.
This case highlights the personal intersections many have with broader immigration enforcement operations, touching families across diverse backgrounds. The incident continues to develop as legal proceedings advance.