Federal immigration authorities have detained the mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt\u2019s nephew, a woman who officials say overstayed a decades-old tourist visa. Bruna Caroline Ferreira was taken into custody in Revere, Massachusetts, after allegedly remaining in the United States illegally since her B2 visa expired in June 1999, according to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson quoted by NBC News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ferreira, originally from Brazil, shares an 11-year-old son with Leavitt\u2019s older brother, Michael Leavitt. In a statement to New Hampshire outlet WMUR, Michael emphasized his son\u2019s welfare amid the situation. \u201cThe only concern has always been the safety, well-being, and privacy of my son,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karoline Leavitt, 28, the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history, declined to comment on the arrest. However, a source told WMUR that Ferreira and Leavitt have not been in contact \u201cfor many years,\u201d adding that the child \u201chas lived full-time in New Hampshire with his father since he was born. He has never resided with his mother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to DHS, Ferreira entered the United States legally in 1998 but failed to depart when required. \u201cShe entered the US on a B2 tourist visa that required her to depart the US by June 6, 1999,\u201d the agency said. \u201cShe is currently at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center and is in removal proceedings. Under President Trump and [DHS] Secretary [Kristi] Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NBC News reported that Ferreira had previously been arrested on suspicion of battery, though the outcome of that case is unclear. No charges appear in Massachusetts\u2019 online court records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ferreira\u2019s attorney, Todd Pomerleau, strongly disputes DHS\u2019s characterization of his client, arguing she should not be facing deportation. He said she has \u201cmaintained her legal status\u201d through the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and was actively working toward obtaining a green card before her arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s in the process of actually getting her green card and she was abruptly arrested and taken from her young child right before Thanksgiving,\u201d Pomerleau told WCVB. \u201cBruna has no criminal record whatsoever. I don\u2019t know where that is coming from. Show us the proof. There\u2019s no charges out there. She\u2019s not a criminal illegal alien.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pomerleau said the family has been struggling with the distance, noting that Ferreira\u2019s son has not spoken to her since she was taken into custody. \u201cI\u2019m just trying to fight to get her out of jail,\u201d he said. \u201cShe should not be sitting in a jail hours away from her family and from her child\u2019s life. She\u2019s a great mom, and from what I heard, I think he\u2019s been a pretty good dad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added, \u201cHis mother is locked up in Louisiana, where she should have never been in the first place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The case comes as the Trump administration carries out what it describes as a broad \u201cmass deportation campaign,\u201d emphasizing stricter enforcement of existing immigration laws. The initiative includes encouraging voluntary return for those in the country illegally and increasing operations by ICE, the Border Patrol, and state National Guard units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A relative of Ferreira has launched a GoFundMe campaign, stating she was brought to the U.S. as a child and \u201cfollowed all protocols.\u201d The fundraiser says, \u201cSince then, she has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here. She has maintained her legal status through DACA, followed every requirement, and has always strived to do the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ferreira remains in federal custody as her removal proceedings continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n