U.S. immigration authorities have taken into custody Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, according to a source familiar with the arrest. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Ferreira’s identity, describing her as a Brazilian national who had been living in the United States unlawfully for years.
Ferreira’s arrest, which took place several weeks ago, has drawn attention not only because of her connection to the high-profile White House official, but also due to the complex personal story behind it. Michael Leavitt, the press secretary’s brother, spoke with WMUR, an ABC affiliate in New Hampshire, confirming that Ferreira had indeed been detained. He explained that their 11-year-old son has lived with him since birth, though the boy has continued to have contact with his mother.
According to a DHS spokesperson, Ferreira entered the U.S. legally but overstayed her visa, which expired in 1999, more than two decades ago. The agency also stated that she had a prior arrest for battery, labeling her a “criminal illegal alien” under federal immigration definitions.
While officials have not disclosed the precise circumstances surrounding her recent detention, the case underscores the deeply personal and often painful intersections between immigration enforcement and family life. For the Leavitt family, it is a situation that combines private heartbreak with unavoidable public scrutiny—placing the press secretary’s family at the center of a politically charged and emotionally fraught moment.
The Department of Homeland Security has not released additional details regarding Ferreira’s current status or potential deportation proceedings. However, sources indicate that she is being held pending further review by immigration authorities.
This developing story highlights not only the legal complexities surrounding long-term visa overstays but also the human dimension of America’s ongoing immigration debate—one that now touches even those closest to the White House.
