A woman connected to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration enforcement efforts.

Bruna Ferreira, mother of the press secretary’s nephew, was detained in Revere, Massachusetts, on Tuesday night, according to WCVB in Boston. Ferreira, who emigrated from Brazil as a child, is currently being held in the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center and is undergoing removal proceedings.

Family and Custody Situation

Ferreira has an 11-year-old son with Michael Leavitt, Karoline Leavitt’s brother. Michael Leavitt, who resides in New Hampshire, told WMUR that his son has lived with him and his wife full-time since birth, and that he has not spoken to Ferreira since her arrest several weeks ago.

Michael Leavitt emphasized that his primary concern is his child’s well-being, stating:

“My only concern has always been the safety, well-being, and privacy of my son.”

Ferreira’s attorney, Todd Pomerleau, said that she entered the U.S. under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and is in the process of securing permanent residency. Pomerleau criticized the timing of her arrest, which occurred shortly before Thanksgiving, separating her from her child.

ICE Statement and Dispute Over Criminal Record

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement regarding Ferreira, calling her a “criminal illegal alien from Brazil” with a prior arrest for battery. DHS said she had originally entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa that required departure by June 6, 1999, and noted that under President Trump’s administration, all unlawfully present individuals are subject to deportation.

However, Pomerleau disputes claims of a criminal history, asserting that Ferreira has no criminal record and challenging ICE to provide proof of any prior charges.

Broader Context: Immigration Enforcement

The arrest highlights ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. immigration policy, particularly under former President Trump’s administration and current DHS leadership. Cases involving DACA recipients and individuals with family ties in the United States continue to spark debate over enforcement practices, deportation procedures, and family separation concerns.

Ferreira’s arrest has drawn attention not only due to her connection to a White House official but also because it underscores the human impact of immigration enforcement policies during the holiday season, raising questions about due process and family rights.