The family of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew’s mother has expressed their concerns following the arrest of Bruna Ferreira by ICE.
Recently, it came to light that Bruna Ferreira had been taken into custody by ICE and is now facing the possibility of deportation to Brazil.
Ferreira has a son, Michael Jr., with Leavitt’s brother, Michael. The couple was reportedly engaged at one time but ended their relationship over a decade ago.
She has been labeled as a ‘criminal illegal alien from Brazil’ and, as of November 25, was being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) informed the Daily Beast: “She has a previous arrest for battery. She entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa that required her to depart the U.S. by June 6, 1999.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation.”
Ferreira’s family has now spoken out, asserting that she has been in the US since childhood.
Her sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, told The Boston Globe: “She’s been here since she was six years old. She’s more American than she is anything else.”
Bob Leavitt, father of Karoline and Michael, reportedly reached out to Ferreira. Her sister claims she has been advised to ‘self deport’.
“They just kept saying, ‘tell her to self-deport,'” she explained. “Self-deport to where? Brazil is not her home.”
Although Bob has apparently made contact, White House Press Secretary Karoline has not.
Dos Santos Rodrigues commented: “If she were to help in any way, if she were willing to do anything to help us, she would have reached out by now.
“She has my phone number. We’ve been family for the last 13 years.
“I understand the policies and how it looks. But I also think when it comes to family, you put certain things aside. I don’t care who you work for.”
John J. Loscocco, Ferreira’s attorney, disputes the DHS’s claim of a past battery arrest, stating that she has ‘no conviction of any kind’.
He is perplexed by her detention, as she is not considered a flight risk and does not pose a threat to the community.
“This is unusual,” Loscocco stated regarding the situation.
The White House’s press office has been contacted for a comment on the issue.