Federal immigration officials detained Bruna Caroline Ferreira on November 12 in Massachusetts while she was driving to pick up her 11-year-old son from school. According to her attorney, the arrest stemmed from an allegation that she overstayed a tourist visa issued in 1998.
Ferreira shares the child with Michael Leavitt, the older brother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Why Was Bruna Caroline Ferreira Arrested?
Ferreira was stopped shortly after leaving her home in Revere, Massachusetts, initially believing it was a routine traffic stop. During questioning, agents confirmed her identity and subsequently arrested her, attorney Todd Pomerleau said. She was transferred to an ICE detention facility in Louisiana.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security referred to her as a “criminal illegal alien”, claiming she had a prior battery arrest. DHS did not provide additional details regarding the accusation.
What Is Ferreira’s Current Immigration Status?
Ferreira arrived in the United States from Brazil as a child in 1998 and lived legally under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for years. After ongoing legal challenges involving DACA, she began the green card process and had reached the final stage. Her final interview was scheduled for this spring.
Her attorney emphasized that Ferreira followed every legal requirement and described the arrest as unnecessary and unjustified.
Ferreira and Michael Leavitt share joint custody of their son. A family source said the child has always lived full-time with his father in New Hampshire and has not lived with Ferreira.
Ferreira and Karoline Leavitt have reportedly not spoken in years. Meanwhile, Ferreira’s sister launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover legal fees, raising more than $17,000 by November 26.
Lawyer Says Arrest Has “No Legal Justification”
Attorney Pomerleau stated that Ferreira committed no crime and complied with every immigration rule established by Congress. He expressed concern that she may remain in custody through Thanksgiving and added that Leavitt “is hopefully able to convince the president” to intervene.
The case comes amid a broader federal crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration. The American Immigration Council reported a 50% increase in detentions across ICE facilities in less than a year.
DHS currently detains nearly 60,000 people, with many facilities experiencing overcrowding. Immigration advocates argue the system now prioritizes mass detention and rapid removal over individualized review.
Family Says Ferreira Followed the Law
Ferreira’s sister described her as a dedicated mother who built a stable life, operated a cleaning business, and complied fully with every legal requirement. She said the detention has left the family struggling and uncertain, hoping for Ferreira’s release before the holidays.
