The arrest and detention of a woman linked to Karoline Leavitt — under the banner “Karoline Leavitt family member ICE” — has become a major news story this week. On November 12, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of Leavitt’s 11-year-old nephew, placing her in custody at a facility in Louisiana.
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Who is involved — and how are they related
- Bruna Caroline Ferreira is the former partner of Michael Leavitt, Karoline Leavitt’s brother. The two share an 11-year-old son.
- According to ICE and a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Ferreira came to the U.S. from Brazil as a child, originally with a tourist visa that expired in June 1999.
- She is now facing removal proceedings. DHS described her as a “criminal illegal alien” and cited a prior arrest for battery.
- Ferreira’s attorney disputes those characterizations. He claims she maintained legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and was working toward a green card. He insists she has no criminal record.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Ferreira reportedly entered the U.S. as a child with her family. |
| June 6, 1999 | Her B-2 tourist visa is said to have expired. |
| 2014 | Michael Leavitt won a large fantasy-sports prize while reportedly engaged to Ferreira. The couple later separated. |
| November 12, 2025 | ICE arrested Ferreira in Revere, Massachusetts. |
| Mid-November 2025 | She was transferred to the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center and placed in removal proceedings. |
What officials and family say
- A DHS spokesperson told media Ferreira is a “criminal illegal alien from Brazil,” citing visa overstay and a prior arrest for battery.
- Ferreira’s attorney contests the criminal claim. He argues she came under DACA, was pursuing a green card, and that no criminal charges are documented in Massachusetts court records.
- Michael Leavitt — the child’s father — says his main concern is the safety, well-being, and privacy of his son. He notes the boy has lived full-time with him in New Hampshire since birth and has not lived with his mother in years.
- A family member has launched an online fundraising campaign to help cover Ferreira’s legal expenses.
- As for Karoline Leavitt herself — she has declined to comment. A White House source said she and Ferreira have not spoken for years.
Why this matters — and the wider context
The ICE detention of a relative of a top White House official comes at a time when immigration enforcement is in sharp focus. Under the second administration of President Donald Trump, immigration policy has seen renewed crackdown efforts.
- The fact that Ferreira reportedly came under DACA — a program meant to protect immigrants who arrived as children — highlights the uncertainty many individuals face amid shifting enforcement priorities.
- The case raises questions about how deeply immigration enforcement might reach — even into families connected to high-ranking government officials.
- For the child involved, the upheaval could have significant emotional and psychological consequences, especially if the mother is deported.
What we still don’t know
- Though DHS cited a “battery arrest,” public Massachusetts court records do not show active charges against Ferreira. The discrepancy has not been resolved publicly.
- It remains unclear whether ICE will grant her any sort of relief — such as cancellation of removal, parole, or a path to legalization. Her attorney is fighting the case.
- There is no public record indicating when or where a hearing will be held; the timing of deportation proceedings remains uncertain.
The detention of Bruna Caroline Ferreira — a relative of Karoline Leavitt — underlines the human impact of immigration enforcement, even among those close to power. The case remains unresolved and continues to draw public and media attention.
Let us know your thoughts — what this case means for immigration policy and families under similar pressure.