ICE arrests mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew.
A woman related to the family of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Massachusetts, according to a confirmation from a Trump administration official. Bruna Caroline Ferreira, who shares an 11-year-old son with Michael Leavitt, is currently in custody at an ICE facility located in southern Louisiana.
Ferreira’s arrest took place earlier this month in Revere, a city situated just northeast of Boston, after she reportedly overstayed her visa by 26 years. Sources acquainted with the case indicated to New Hampshire ABC affiliate WMUR that Ferreira’s visa, which originally required her to leave the United States by June 6, 1999, had long expired.
Michael Leavitt, who resides in New Hampshire, was previously in a relationship with Ferreira; however, the couple separated approximately ten years ago, according to family statements. Their child currently lives with his father and stepmother, while Ferreira is said to have maintained a relationship with her son.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, revealed that Ferreira had been previously arrested for battery and is now undergoing removal proceedings. Ferreira entered the United States as a child alongside her family on a tourist visa.
In contrast, Ferreira’s attorney, Todd Pomerleau, claimed that she is protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, an initiative established during the Obama administration that enables certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to avoid deportation while receiving work authorization. Pomerleau contended that Ferreira has “no criminal record whatsoever,” refuting the characterization surrounding her situation.
Furthermore, a GoFundMe campaign launched by Ferreira’s sister describes her immigration journey, noting that she arrived in the United States with their parents in December 1988 when she was still a child. The campaign emphasizes that Ferreira has continuously maintained her legal status through DACA, adhered to all requirements, and has consistently aimed to do the right thing.
As this situation unfolds, Karoline Leavitt has yet to make an official statement regarding Ferreira’s arrest. The case highlights the complexities surrounding immigration issues in the United States, particularly in cases involving long-term residents who may face severe consequences for expired documentation.
