The mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew has publicly addressed her recent arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, breaking a silence that followed weeks of uncertainty and fear.
Bruna-Caroline Ferreira, 33, was detained in Louisiana after being arrested in Massachusetts. She shares an eleven-year-old son with Karoline Leavitt’s brother, Michael, though the couple separated approximately ten years ago. The child now resides full-time with his father in New Hampshire.
Details emerged revealing Ferreira entered the country on a tourist visa that expired in 1999 and had a prior arrest for battery. Records suggest she may have qualified for protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, a path to remain in the country legally.
Following a court hearing, an immigration judge ordered Ferreira’s release on a $1,500 bond, allowing her to fight deportation proceedings outside of detention. She then spoke to a national news network, detailing the emotional toll of her experience.
During the interview, Ferreira directly addressed the White House Press Secretary, delivering a pointed critique. She questioned Leavitt’s adherence to her Catholic faith, suggesting attendance at a Catholic school did not equate to genuine belief.
Ferreira then shifted to a plea for empathy, asking Leavitt to imagine herself in her position. “How would you feel if somebody did this to you?” she asked, framing her arrest as a deeply personal attack.
She described the White House’s actions as “cruel,” emphasizing the impact on her son. Ferreira expressed concern over the constant media coverage, fearing it was causing her child immense distress and confusion.
“I don’t even have a parking ticket,” she stated, highlighting her perceived law-abiding life. “And now my child is watching them broadcast this 24 hours a day…as a child he must be terrified.”
Ferreira also reflected on her time in ICE custody, drawing a connection to broader immigration policies. She acknowledged she wasn’t alone in her struggle, lamenting the daily separation of families occurring across the country.
“I can’t wrap my mind around it,” Ferreira confessed, her voice filled with emotion. “I’m not the first, and I’m not going to be the last. Where does it end?”
