Alleged Crime Committed By White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s Relative As She’s Detained By Ice

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt faces a personal connection to the administration’s strict immigration enforcement after her relative, Bruna Caroline Ferreira, was detained by ICE earlier this month. Ferreira, the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, was arrested in Revere, Massachusetts, while driving to pick up her young son, and is now in an ICE facility in Louisiana pending removal proceedings.

Ferreira, originally from Brazil, reportedly arrived in the U.S. as a child and at times sought protection under a deferred-status program. ICE classifies her as undocumented, citing an expired tourist visa and a prior battery arrest. Her family has launched a fundraiser to cover legal costs, describing her as a hardworking single mother with strong ties to her family.

Leavitt has not publicly commented on her relative’s detention, despite having strongly defended the administration’s hard-line immigration policies, including strict deportation enforcement.

The family is particularly concerned for the welfare of the 11-year-old boy, who lives with his father and stepmother in New Hampshire. He has not seen his mother since her arrest, raising fears about the emotional impact of the separation, especially during the holiday season.

Immigrant-rights groups see the case as an example of the human cost of aggressive deportation policies, while supporters argue that laws regarding visa overstays and prior criminal records must be enforced fairly.

ICE officials maintain that Ferreira’s arrest was lawful due to her immigration status and prior offenses, but her family disputes this, noting her long-standing U.S. residency and reliance on prior protective programs.

The case highlights the personal consequences of broad immigration enforcement, even for high-ranking officials. As legal proceedings continue, questions remain about Ferreira’s potential deportation, her child’s stability, and the administration’s balance between policy and personal ties.