The White House has issued an eight-word statement after press secretary Karoline Leavitt's "criminal illegal alien" relative was detained by ICE,
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of Leavitt’s 11-year-old nephew, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Revere, Massachusetts.
Ferreira, who is originally from Brazil and entered the US as a child, was once in a relationship with Leavitt’s brother, Michael Leavitt.
She has been accused of overstaying a tourist visa that expired in 1999, and is also facing charges of battery, which contributed to her detention.
Bruna Ferreira, the mother of Karoline Leavitt's 11-year-old nephew, has been detained by ICE. Credit: GoFundMe
White House's Statement
The White House released a statement after reports revealed the family connection between Karoline and Ferreira.
Due to the media attention surrounding the case, they made it clear: "Karoline had no involvement whatsoever in this matter," according to WBUR.
The White House said Karoline Leavitt was not involved. Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty
Background of the Case
According to reports, Ferreira shares a son named Michael Leavitt Jr. with Leavitt's brother. However, the couple separated about a decade ago, and Ferreira has not had direct contact with the family in recent years.
She is currently being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center, which is nearly 1,700 miles from her home.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has claimed that Ferreira had overstayed her visa and had a prior arrest for battery.
Her family, however, has defended her, stating that she had maintained her legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program before her detention.
Family’s Legal Fight
In response to the arrest, Ferreira’s sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her legal defense.
“Anyone who knows Bruna knows the kind of person she is,” Rodrigues wrote. “She is hardworking, kind, and always the first to offer help when someone needs it. Whether it’s supporting family, friends, or even strangers, Bruna has a heart that puts others before herself."
She also emphasized the emotional toll Ferreira’s absence has had on her son, who lives with his father in New Hampshire and hopes for his mother’s return by the holidays.
"We are asking for financial help to cover the legal fees and expenses needed to give Bruna the best possible chance to return home to her family. Any amount, no matter how small, will make a difference. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page also helps more than you know," they added.
As of the time of writing, $17,582 has been raised of the $30K target.
President Donald Trump and Karoline Leavitt,. Credit: Anadolu / Getty
Ferreira’s detention comes amidst the Trump administration’s strict immigration enforcement, which has drawn mixed reactions.
A DHS spokesperson noted that under the 79-year-old's policies, all individuals unlawfully present in the US are subject to deportation, regardless of personal connections to prominent political figures.
Leavitt, a vocal supporter of the administration’s tough stance on immigration, has repeatedly defended aggressive enforcement policies.
Earlier this year, she said: “If you invade our nation’s borders… you are going to be deported… and you may be held at Guantanamo Bay,” she said, via The Independent. “These are criminals we are talking about - don’t forget that.”
As Ferreira’s situation continues to unfold, the White House remains focused on clarifying that Leavitt has no connection to her relative’s legal troubles.