President Donald Trump's White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, is currently at the center of a family-related immigration debate. Lawyers representing Bruna Ferreira, the mother of Leavitt's nephew, have accused the Press Secretary of providing false information regarding her connection to Ferreira.
Ferreira, who is originally from Brazil, has been in custody at a Louisiana ICE facility since earlier this month after being detained in Revere, Massachusetts. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has classified her as a "criminal illegal alien" due to a previous arrest for battery and overstaying her visa, which expired in 1999.
Todd Pomerleau, Ferreira's attorney, has contested statements from a White House source, reported by the Daily Mail, that Leavitt and Ferreira had not communicated for years. He provided a contrasting account to The Daily Beast, claiming that Ferreira had seen Leavitt within the last year and had attended family events, including a soccer game for her 11-year-old son, Michael Jr.
Pomerleau highlighted the significance of Ferreira being chosen as godmother to Leavitt's nephew, emphasizing her continued pride in Leavitt's achievements within the Trump administration. This point of contention raises questions about the family's previous claims of disconnection from Ferreira.
Ferreira's continued presence in her son's life and her attempts to secure residency through DACA have been noted by Pomerleau, contradicting the narrative of her absence. He also mentioned that Michael Jr has been living full-time with his father, Michael Leavitt Sr, who has acknowledged his son's communication with Ferreira and emphasized his focus on the child's well-being and privacy.
The case took a public turn when Ferreira was detained by ICE officers as she was picking up her son. Her sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, described the incident as abrupt and distressing, noting that Ferreira has resided in the United States since she was six and identifies strongly with American culture.
A GoFundMe campaign to support Ferreira's legal defense exceeded its $30,000 target, buoyed by a $5,000 anonymous donation. Rodrigues expressed gratitude for the support and Pomerleau's efforts, while also mentioning Leavitt's lack of outreach to the family.
A DHS spokesperson reiterated that Ferreira initially entered the U.S. legally on a tourist visa, but her failure to depart by the deadline made her subject to deportation, a policy now applicable to all undocumented individuals.
