The shadow of immigration enforcement has reached into the heart of a family connected to a former White House official. Bruna Ferreira, the mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, is now detained by ICE, her fate hanging in the balance.
Ferreira’s story began decades ago, arriving in the United States from Brazil with her family as a young child in 1998. She built a life here, protected for years under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and was actively pursuing legal residency when she was suddenly taken into custody.
DACA, established by President Obama, offered a lifeline to nearly 800,000 young people brought to the US illegally as children. These “Dreamers” were granted work permits and protection from deportation, given the chance to contribute to the country they’d always known as home – provided they passed rigorous background checks and met specific educational or military service requirements.
The timing of Ferreira’s arrest is particularly devastating, occurring just before Thanksgiving, wrenching her away from her 11-year-old son. Though the boy primarily lives with his father and stepmother, he has consistently maintained a relationship with his mother.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security labeled Ferreira a “criminal illegal alien,” citing a past arrest for battery. However, her attorney vehemently denies any criminal record exists, demanding proof of these allegations. He insists she was making significant progress toward legal residency.
According to her lawyer, Ferreira initially entered the country on a tourist visa, but remained and diligently worked to establish a lawful life. The current administration’s policy, mirroring a stance taken during the Trump presidency, asserts that all individuals unlawfully present in the US are subject to deportation.
Ferreira’s family is now desperately rallying for her release, painting a portrait of a hardworking, compassionate woman dedicated to her son and community. They describe her as someone who consistently puts others first, a pillar of support for those around her.
Michael Leavitt, Karoline Leavitt’s brother and Ferreira’s son’s father, released a brief statement, expressing his sole focus is on the well-being and privacy of their child. The family is now navigating a complex legal battle, hoping to reunite a mother with her son and secure a future in the country she’s called home for over two decades.
