White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has a personal connection to a recent immigration incident, as her nephew’s mother, Bruna Ferreira, was apprehended by ICE agents in Revere earlier this month. Bruna Ferreira, who emigrated from Brazil as a child and has been residing in the Boston area, is currently in custody at an ICE facility in Louisiana.
Michael Leavitt, Karoline’s brother, shares a son with Ferreira. Despite having been in a relationship, the couple has not communicated in years, and their son has predominantly lived with Michael Leavitt since birth. The split between Ferreira and Michael occurred approximately a decade ago, as confirmed by family sources.
While Karoline Leavitt has chosen not to comment on the arrest, a Trump administration official emphasized that she had no involvement in her nephew’s mother’s situation. The Department of Homeland Security indicated that Ferreira has a prior arrest record related to battery and entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 1999, which required her to exit the country.
Michael Leavitt, known for winning a $1 million DraftKings contest in 2014, expressed his primary concern for his son’s safety, wellbeing, and privacy. Ferreira’s sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal fees for Ferreira’s defense, stating that she has always complied with the law through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The campaign portrays Ferreira as a hardworking, compassionate individual, dedicated to helping others and maintaining her legal status in the U.S.
The current situation highlights the complex interplay between personal and political spheres, especially as immigration issues continue to affect families across the nation.