A relative of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for remaining in the United States beyond the expiration of a tourist visa.
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, identified as a "criminal illegal alien" from Brazil by a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, entered the U.S. on a B-2 Tourist Visa and failed to depart when it expired in June 1999.
According to The Washington Times, Ferreira was detained in Massachusetts earlier this month. The DHS spokesperson confirmed that she is currently held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center and is undergoing removal proceedings.
"Under President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation," the spokesperson stated.
Ferreira is the mother of Ms. Leavitt's nephew, through her brother, Michael Leavitt, though the two women have reportedly not communicated in years. The nephew resides with Ms. Leavitt's brother in New Hampshire. Ferreira has a prior arrest for battery, adding complexity to her current legal situation.
In a statement to WBUR, Michael Leavitt expressed, "My only concern has always been the safety, well-being and privacy of my son." Meanwhile, Ferreira's sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with legal expenses and contest the charges.
The page, which includes photos of Ferreira and her 11-year-old son, Michael Leavitt Jr., states, "Bruna was brought to the United States by our parents in December of 1998, when she was just a child, entering on a visa. Since then, she has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here."
The GoFundMe page further emphasizes the emotional toll on Ferreira's son, noting, "Brunas absence has been especially painful for her 11-year-old son, Michael Leavitt Junior, who needs his mother and hopes every single day that shell be home in time for the holidays."
It appeals for financial support, stating, "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 has successfully raised nearly $20,000.
Ferreira's attorney, Todd Pomerleau, informed WBUR that she maintains a relationship with her son and shares custody with Mr. Leavitt. He also mentioned being unaware of any battery charges against Ferreira. Under President Trump's administration, there has been a significant focus on enforcing immigration laws, a stance that Ms. Leavitt has publicly supported. As the situation unfolds, the legal proceedings will determine Ferreira's fate and the impact on her family.
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