Federal immigration authorities have detained a woman identified as the mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, placing her in custody as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on long-term visa overstays and criminal noncitizens. The case—first reported by WBUR in Boston—has quickly intensified political scrutiny surrounding the administration’s aggressive immigration policies and the message it sends that no one, regardless of proximity to power, is exempt.
Multiple sources familiar with the matter confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained Bruna Caroline Ferreira in Revere, Massachusetts earlier this month. Ferreira, a Brazilian national who entered the U.S. on a tourist visa 26 years ago, has been held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center while deportation proceedings advance.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said Ferreira is considered a “criminal illegal alien,” citing both her expired visa—last valid in June 1999—and an arrest on suspicion of battery. How that criminal case was resolved remains unclear. ICE has not released records detailing whether charges were dropped, pled out, or adjudicated.
The detainment comes at a time when the Trump administration, led by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, has dramatically expanded enforcement initiatives targeting criminal migrants, long-term visa overstayers, and individuals previously shielded by discretionary federal programs.
Sources Stress Child’s Living History, Distance From Mother
Despite speculation circulating online, a source close to Leavitt emphasized that Ferreira has never lived with the press secretary’s nephew, has not raised him, and has had no active relationship with him in many years. The child has lived exclusively with his father in New Hampshire since birth.
The source added that Ferreira’s detainment has “zero connection” to Leavitt’s official role and stressed that the administration’s policies apply “across the board,” regardless of political sensitivities.
Leavitt declined to comment publicly when contacted by WBUR, and the White House has not released a formal statement. The administration also declined to comment when contacted by NBC News.
The arrest appears to illustrate a consistent position from President Donald Trump’s second-term DHS: personal connections, family ties, and even previously lawful protections are not grounds for exemption from enforcement.
Under Secretary Noem, DHS reiterated this position, stating plainly:
“All individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation.”
DHS: Long-Term Overstay, Unresolved Criminal History Triggered Enforcement
According to DHS, Ferreira entered the United States legally but overstayed her tourist visa by more than two decades. The expiration date listed: June 10, 1999.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that Ferreira also had an arrest on her record for battery. While she did not elaborate on the outcome, DHS highlighted that any criminal history—even a past arrest—can trigger the loss of discretionary protections or accelerate removal actions.
That factor has taken on new significance as the administration intensifies scrutiny of individuals previously shielded under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or other humanitarian programs.
In a statement included in an Associated Press report on recent immigration sweeps, McLaughlin noted:
“DACA recipients can lose their protected status for a number of reasons, including if they’ve committed a crime.”
Her comment followed multiple reports that DACA recipients were among those detained in recent DHS operations focused on noncitizen criminal networks, gang-associated migrants, and long-term overstays.
Family Says Ferreira Was a Long-Time Resident Trying to Build a Stable Life
Ferreira’s relatives established a GoFundMe campaign shortly after her detention, painting a starkly different portrait from DHS’ description. The fundraiser says she was brought to the United States as a young child in 1998 and had spent nearly her entire life in the country.
According to the family narrative, Ferreira:
• entered the U.S. as a minor
• attempted to maintain legal status through DACA
• has no recent criminal behavior
• worked to support family and raise her own children
The campaign asserts she “did everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here.”
But DHS disputes at least part of that description. Officials indicated that records tied to Ferreira’s immigration history do not reflect continuous DACA eligibility or current protection under the program—especially given criminal factors and status violations.
Furthermore, DHS clarified that DACA, even if applied, does not grant legal status, but rather temporary deferral from removal. Any violation—criminal, procedural, or administrative—can result in immediate termination of that protection.
DACA Recipients Swept Up in Broader Enforcement Actions
The Associated Press reported this week that DACA recipients have been among those detained in ongoing immigration operations. This development marks a meaningful shift: previous administrations treated DACA recipients as low-risk priorities even when their status expired, provided they had clean records.
However, the Trump administration—following a campaign emphasis on strict border and visa enforcement—has reversed that posture. Individuals with expired DACA status, unresolved criminal histories, or past immigration violations are now subject to expedited arrest.
This includes:
• those with lapsed or unrenewed DACA paperwork
• those with previous arrests even if not convicted
• long-term overstays
• individuals identified during regional enforcement sweeps
Ferreira’s case aligns with this new enforcement logic.
Broader Context: Noem and Trump Shift Enforcement Into High Gear
President Trump and DHS Secretary Noem have sharply expanded immigration enforcement during the second term, arguing that the United States has to “restore rule of law” after what they describe as “years of chaos” under previous administrations.
Noem has previously said:
“Every single person in this country illegally has been warned for years. If you are not authorized to be here, you are subject to deportation. Period.”
The administration’s enforcement priorities have included:
• sweeping arrests of Venezuelan gang members and criminal cells
• renewed focus on overstayed visas
• increased interior enforcement raids
• collaborations with state governments to remove criminal migrants
• faster processing of removal orders
• high-profile deportations
Notably, the administration has also backed state-level crackdowns, including South Dakota’s and Florida’s escalated campaigns against criminal foreign nationals.
Political Implications: No Special Treatment, No Exceptions
Politically, the case underscores a central message the administration has repeatedly emphasized: that immigration enforcement will be blind to personal connections — even those involving senior officials inside the White House.
While some critics suggest the arrest could be leveraged as political theater to strengthen the administration’s image of “consistency,” allies argue the opposite: the case demonstrates that immigration law is being applied uniformly, regardless of who is involved.
Leavitt, one of the most visible spokespeople for the Trump administration, has not commented publicly. Those close to her say she is refraining out of respect for privacy and due to the administration’s policy of not speaking about individual immigration enforcement cases.
Both the White House and DHS are expected to avoid further comment unless the case becomes part of public legal proceedings.
For now, Ferreira remains in ICE custody pending a final determination on removal.
Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
