Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt's 'criminal illegal alien' relative detained by ICE
She was taken into custody in Massachusetts after allegedly overstaying her tourist visa — which expired in June 1999.
Author of the article
enette Wilford
Published Nov 26, 2025 • 2 minute read
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Washington.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Washington.
A family member of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, has been described as “a criminal illegal alien from Brazil.”
She was taken into custody in Revere, Mass., after allegedly overstaying her tourist visa — which expired in June 1999, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told NBC News.
Where is she now?
Ferreira was previously arrested on suspicion of battery, the spokesperson added, though they did not specify how the case was resolved.
They noted that under President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, “all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation.”
Ferreira is currently being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center as she awaits proceedings to have her removed, the spokesperson said.
Leavitt’s nephew has lived full time in New Hampshire with his father and stepmother since he was born and has never lived with his mother, they added.
Bruna Caroline Ferreira and son
Bruna Caroline Ferreira and son, who she shares with Michael Leavitt, brother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. (GoFundMe) GoFundMe
But Michael Leavitt confirmed to WMUR that Ferreira and their son have maintained a relationship over the years, though he acknowledged that the boy has not been in contact with his mom since she was detained by ICE a few weeks ago.
“The only concern has always been the safety, well-being, and privacy of my son,” the dad told the outlet.
Meanwhile, Karoline Leavitt had no comment on Ferreira’s arrest, but a source said the women have not spoken in many years.
‘No criminal record whatsoever’
Ferreira’s lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, said his client came to the United States with her family as a child, has “maintained her legal status” under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and is in the process of getting her green card, WMUR reported.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to the Associated Press that DACA recipients can lose status “for a number of reasons, including if they’ve committed a crime.”
However, Pomerleau insisted that Ferreira is a good mom with “no criminal record whatsoever.”
He added: “I’m just trying to fight to get her out of jail. She should not be sitting in a jail hours away from her family and from her child’s life. She’s a great mom, and from what I heard, I think he’s been a pretty good dad.”
A GoFundMe page has been created by her sister Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues for legal fees and expenses.
“Bruna was brought to the United States by our parents in December of 1998, when she was just a child, entering on a visa,” the message reads.
“Since 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.”
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She was taken into custody in Massachusetts after allegedly overstaying her tourist visa — which expired in June 1999.
Author of the article
enette WilfordPublished Nov 26, 2025 • 2 minute read
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Washington.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Washington.
A family member of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, has been described as “a criminal illegal alien from Brazil.”
She was taken into custody in Revere, Mass., after allegedly overstaying her tourist visa — which expired in June 1999, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told NBC News.
Where is she now?
Ferreira was previously arrested on suspicion of battery, the spokesperson added, though they did not specify how the case was resolved.
They noted that under President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, “all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation.”
Ferreira is currently being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center as she awaits proceedings to have her removed, the spokesperson said.
Leavitt’s nephew has lived full time in New Hampshire with his father and stepmother since he was born and has never lived with his mother, they added.
Bruna Caroline Ferreira and son
Bruna Caroline Ferreira and son, who she shares with Michael Leavitt, brother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. (GoFundMe) GoFundMe
But Michael Leavitt confirmed to WMUR that Ferreira and their son have maintained a relationship over the years, though he acknowledged that the boy has not been in contact with his mom since she was detained by ICE a few weeks ago.
“The only concern has always been the safety, well-being, and privacy of my son,” the dad told the outlet.
Meanwhile, Karoline Leavitt had no comment on Ferreira’s arrest, but a source said the women have not spoken in many years.
‘No criminal record whatsoever’
Ferreira’s lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, said his client came to the United States with her family as a child, has “maintained her legal status” under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and is in the process of getting her green card, WMUR reported.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to the Associated Press that DACA recipients can lose status “for a number of reasons, including if they’ve committed a crime.”
However, Pomerleau insisted that Ferreira is a good mom with “no criminal record whatsoever.”
He added: “I’m just trying to fight to get her out of jail. She should not be sitting in a jail hours away from her family and from her child’s life. She’s a great mom, and from what I heard, I think he’s been a pretty good dad.”
A GoFundMe page has been created by her sister Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues for legal fees and expenses.
“Bruna was brought to the United States by our parents in December of 1998, when she was just a child, entering on a visa,” the message reads.
“Since 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.”
Donate to Support Bruna's Fight to Stay Home, organized by Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues
My family is going through one of the most difficult moments of our l… Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues needs your support for Support Bruna's Fight to Stay Home
ICE arrests woman with family ties to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt
The mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's nephew is currently in ICE custody, after she was arrested for overstaying her visa by 26 years, a source familiar with the matter confirms to News 9.
wmur.com
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's relative detained by ICE
The mother of Leavitt's nephew is subject to deportation, sources said.
nbcnews.com
Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt's 'criminal illegal alien' relative detained by ICE
A family member of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been detained by U.S. immigration officials. Read more.
