ICE detains mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew amid Trump immigration crackdown

ICE detains Bruna Ferreira, mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, as Trump’s immigration crackdown targets overstays

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, highlighting the expanding scope of President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy.

Ferreira, a Brazilian national, was arrested in Revere, Massachusetts, according to officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS stated that Ferreira originally entered the United States on a tourist visa and overstayed, placing her in violation of immigration law. However, a GoFundMe campaign organized by her sister claims that Ferreira had maintained legal status through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The fundraiser seeks $30,000 to cover her legal costs and describes her as a dedicated mother who “followed every requirement” of DACA.

Ferreira is currently being held at an ICE detention center in Louisiana. DHS also noted that she had a previous arrest for battery, though no further details were provided and Reuters could not independently verify the alleged charge.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed Ferreira is the mother of Leavitt’s nephew but emphasized that the child has lived full-time with Leavitt’s brother, Michael Leavitt, in New Hampshire since birth and never resided with Ferreira.

The case comes amid Trump’s intensified push for historic deportation numbers, with immigration officers surged to major cities nationwide. ICE data shows that more than two-thirds of the 53,000 individuals detained as of November 15 had no criminal convictions, signaling a broad sweep that increasingly affects long-term residents and non-criminals.

The GoFundMe page highlights the emotional toll on Ferreira’s 11-year-old son, who “hopes every single day she’ll be home in time for the holidays.”