United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday detained Bruna Caroline Ferreira, a relative of White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt.
Bruna, an “illegal alien from Brazil,” was detained in Massachusetts’s Revere by federal immigration officials. It’s closed in Louisiana.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesman said Bruna, who is the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, overstayed her tourist visa, which expired in June 1999.
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According to News 9, Michael Leavitt declined to speak on camera, citing concerns about his son’s privacy.
He said his biggest concern after Bruna’s arrest is his son’s safety and well-being.
Michael said that while the boy lives with him and his stepmother, Ferreira maintains a relationship with her son.
Since his birth, Leavitt’s 11-year-old nephew has lived full-time in New Hampshire with his father, Leavitt’s brother Michael.
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Bruna is currently in removal proceedings and was also previously arrested for assault. She was arrested while driving to pick up her son from New Hampshire.
Bruna’s attorney, Todd Pomerleau, argued that she came to the U.S. legally and is in the process of getting a green card.
“Bruna has no criminal record. I don’t know where that came from. Show us the proof. There are no charges. He’s not a criminal, an illegal alien, we hear that said about anyone who’s not a US citizen,” Pomerleau argued.
He also added that he is fighting to get her out of custody.
“I’m just trying to fight to get her out of jail. She shouldn’t be sitting in jail hours away from her family and her child’s life. She’s a great mom and from what I’ve heard, I think he’s been a pretty good dad,” he told News 9.
Meantime, a go f find page was created to obtain financial assistance to cover legal fees and expenses.
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According to her sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, who created the page to generate $30,000, it states that Bruna was brought to the United States by her parents in December 1998, when she was still a child, on a visa.
“Since then, she has done everything in her power to build a stable and honest life for herself here.
“Everyone who knows Bruna knows what she’s like. She’s hardworking, kind, and always the first to offer help when someone needs it,” a message on the page reads.
Graziela said Bruna’s absence has been painful for her 11-year-old son, Michael Leavitt Junior, who hopes every day to be home in time for the holidays.
