Leavitt Relative Detained Amid ICE Crackdown

Family Ties in the Spotlight as ICE Detains Leavitt's Relative

The intersection of high-profile politics and personal immigration struggles has come into sharp focus with the recent detention of Bruna Caroline Ferreira—a woman with family ties to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents near Boston on November 12, 2025, Ferreira's case has ignited debate about the Trump administration's sweeping immigration enforcement.

Ferreira, a Brazilian national, is the mother of Leavitt's nephew. According to sources, her 11-year-old son has lived full-time in New Hampshire with his father, Leavitt's brother Michael, since birth. The mother and son haven't spoken in years, complicating an already fraught family situation. ICE officials allege Ferreira overstayed a tourist visa that expired in June 1999 and cite a prior arrest for battery as a factor in her detention. She is currently held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center, nearly 1,700 miles from her son.

A Complex Immigration History

Ferreira's legal status adds nuance to the narrative. As a child brought to the U.S. in 1998, she previously benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. However, she lost protection during Trump's first-term efforts to terminate DACA—a move blocked by the Supreme Court. Ferreira's attorney, Todd Pomerleau, asserts she is now in the midst of a "lawful immigration process" for U.S. citizenship, though ICE disputes this, noting DACA "does not confer any form of legal status."

"Bruna was brought to the United States by our parents when she was just a child... she has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here," wrote Ferreira's sister in a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $15,000 for legal fees.

Policy vs. Personal Impact

The case places Leavitt in an uncomfortable position. As a vocal defender of Trump's immigration policies, she has previously stated that individuals who "break our country's laws" face deportation, even suggesting detention at Guantanamo Bay for "criminals." Yet when pressed about this family matter, Leavitt declined comment to reporters, sidestepping questions about whether emergency rooms should check immigration status.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended Ferreira's detention, emphasizing that "all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation" under the current administration. This stance aligns with ICE's broader crackdown, which has seen DACA recipients among those apprehended in recent raids.

Public Backlash and Human Cost

The detention reflects a shift in public sentiment. A recent poll shows only 34% of Americans approve of ICE's activities—a 4% drop from last month and a stark reversal from 56% support for mass deportations just a year ago. Ferreira's separation from her son has become a focal point for critics who argue the policy inflicts unnecessary suffering.

"Bruna's absence has been especially painful for her 11-year-old son, who needs his mother and hopes every single day that she'll be home in time for the holidays," her sister urged in the GoFundMe plea. As legal proceedings unfold, the case underscores the human toll of rigid immigration enforcement, even for those with connections to the highest echelons of government.

What's Next?

Ferreira remains in removal proceedings, while her family battles to reunite her with her son. The outcome could further test the administration's commitment to its deportation promises when faced with sympathetic cases. For now, the spotlight remains on how a family's personal tragedy intersects with national immigration policy.