White House Press Secretary’s Former Family Member Detained by ICE in Surprise Arrest

A Massachusetts woman with past family ties to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is fighting deportation. Bruna Ferreira was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) two weeks ago. The arrest occurred during a routine drive in Revere, Massachusetts.

According to her attorney, Ferreira was on her way to pick up her 11-year-old son from school. The boy is her child with Michael Leavitt, the press secretary’s brother, to whom she was once engaged. She is currently being held at a facility in Louisiana.

Legal Team Challenges Detention as Unlawful and Baseless

Ferreira’s lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, asserts the detention was unconstitutional. He states she was transferred through multiple states without explanation. Pomerleau emphasized she presents no flight risk or danger to the public.

He described his client as a business owner and taxpayer. Her primary role is as a mother who shares custody of her son. The sudden arrest left her child wondering about her whereabouts after school.

Complex Immigration Status and Conflicting Claims from Authorities

Ferreira came to the U.S. from Brazil as a young child. She was enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This Obama-era policy protects some immigrants brought to the country as children.

The Department of Homeland Security disputes this. A spokesperson stated Ferreira entered on a tourist visa in the 1990s. They also cited a prior battery arrest, a claim her attorney vehemently denies. A review of court records in Massachusetts and New Hampshire found no such charge.

The case highlights the complex realities of U.S. immigration policy. It involves a personal connection to a high-ranking White House official. The situation of the White House Press Secretary’s former family member remains unresolved.

Thought you’d like to know-

Who is Bruna Ferreira?

Bruna Ferreira is a 33-year-old Massachusetts business owner. She was once engaged to Michael Leavitt, the brother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. They share an 11-year-old son and have maintained a co-parenting relationship.

Why was she detained by ICE?

ICE arrested her during a traffic stop on November 12. The Department of Homeland Security states she overstayed a tourist visa from 1999. Her attorney claims the detention was without valid cause and is challenging it.

What is her current immigration status?

Ferreira was a recipient of DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. This program shields certain immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. She was in the process of applying for a green card at the time of her arrest.

Where is she being held now?

After being moved through several detention facilities, Ferreira is currently held in Louisiana. This is far from her home and son in New England. Her legal team is working to have her case reviewed.

What has the White House said about this?

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has declined to comment on the matter. The situation involves her brother’s former fiancée and their nephew, making it a private family issue.