Bruna Ferreira, a Massachusetts resident and the mother of an 11-year-old boy with Michael Leavitt, brother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, was recently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Revere, Massachusetts. As of now, Ferreira is being held at an ICE detention facility in southern Louisiana.
Ferreira entered the United States with her family in 1998 from Brazil when she was a child. Her attorney has stated that she arrived under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and was in the process of seeking permanent residency. Ferreira's legal representation also claims she has no criminal record, directly contesting the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) characterization of her as having a prior arrest for battery.
Michael Leavitt confirmed that his son, who shares his name, lives with him and his wife on a full-time basis while maintaining a relationship with his biological mother. Since Ferreira's detention, which occurred shortly before Thanksgiving, her son has been unable to communicate with her, according to statements by Michael Leavitt. He has emphasized his son's safety, well-being, and privacy as his primary concerns.
A DHS spokeswoman described Ferreira as someone who entered the country on a B2 tourist visa, which required her to leave by June 6, 1999. The spokeswoman further stated that under the current administration of President Donald Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to potential deportation.
The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover Ferreira's legal expenses. It has been reported that Ferreira and Michael Leavitt separated around 10 years ago. Following their split, Leavitt won $1 million in a Draft Kings competition when their son was just eight months old. At that time, Ferreira expressed gratitude for their blessings, including their health and living situation.
This case has brought attention to the complexities of immigration enforcement and the impact on families. With Ferreira's connection to someone within the White House circle, it also highlights the reach of immigration policies and their consequences on individuals regardless of their relations.
