Overview
- Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, is in ICE custody at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center and is in removal proceedings.
- DHS officials characterize Ferreira as a criminal and a visa overstayer, citing a prior assault arrest and an overstay of a tourist visa that expired in 1999.
- Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, disputes any criminal history, says she was brought to the U.S. as a child and previously held DACA status that later lapsed, and says she is pursuing lawful permanent status.
- Ferreira was arrested around November 12 in the Boston area, with some reports saying the arrest occurred as she attempted to pick up her son, before being transferred to Louisiana.
- Family members say the 11-year-old son lives with his father in New Hampshire and has not spoken with his mother since the arrest, a GoFundMe for legal fees has raised more than $15,000, and Leavitt has not commented.