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ICE Detains Mother of White House Press Secretary’s Nephew; Family and Authorities Dispute Details

Bruna Ferreira was arrested by ICE in Revere, Massachusetts, and is being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center as she faces removal proceedings. Her 11-year-old son lives full time with his father, Michael Leavitt, and has not spoken with his mother since the arrest. Ferreira's attorney says she came to the U.S. under DACA and was pursuing residency when detained; the Department of Homeland Security says she entered on a B2 visa and cites a prior arrest, a claim her attorney disputes.

09:28 AM, 11/26/2025Politics
ICE Detains Mother of White House Press Secretary’s Nephew; Family and Authorities Dispute Details

Bruna Ferreira, the mother of an 11-year-old boy fathered by Michael Leavitt (brother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt), was arrested by federal immigration agents in Revere, Massachusetts. Ferreira is currently being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center and is in removal proceedings.

Michael Leavitt, who lives in New Hampshire with his wife and the child, told reporters that his son lives full-time with him and has not spoken with his mother since her arrest several weeks ago. A source familiar with the situation said the child has never lived with Ferreira and that Ferreira and Karoline Leavitt have not had contact in many years.

Ferreira's attorney, Todd Pomerleau, said his client entered the United States under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program as a child and was in the process of applying for lawful permanent residency when she was detained. Pomerleau said the arrest came suddenly and occurred "right before Thanksgiving."

"She’s in the process of actually getting her residency and she was abruptly arrested and taken from her young child right before Thanksgiving," said Todd Pomerleau.

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security characterized Ferreira as a "criminal illegal alien" from Brazil, saying she has a prior arrest for battery and that she originally entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa that required departure by June 6, 1999. The statement also noted that she is currently in removal proceedings.

Pomerleau strongly disputed the criminal-history claim. "Bruna has no criminal record whatsoever," he said, urging DHS to provide proof of any charges.

The case highlights conflicting accounts between immigration authorities and Ferreira's legal team over her immigration status and any alleged prior offenses, and underscores the human consequences for families when a parent is detained. Key facts remain contested: whether Ferreira arrived under DACA or a tourist visa and whether she has a criminal conviction or only a prior arrest.

Authorities and Ferreira's attorneys can be expected to provide additional documentation and legal filings as the removal proceedings progress. The child's father has emphasized his primary concern is the safety, well-being and privacy of his son.

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