Karoline Leavitt and ICE are two directly connected things you’ve likely heard numerous times, but no one would have imagined someone related to her being arrested by ICE. Yet, the White House Press Secretary’s distant relative has been reportedly detained and is facing possible deportation, according to The Daily Beast. The detainee in question is a woman living in Louisiana named Bruna Ferreira; she’s the mother of Leavitt’s nephew. Now, Ferreira might be deported to Brazil.
For clarification, Ferreira is Michael Leavitt’s ex; the two had a son, Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, before they separated. A source told The Daily Beast that “this individual is the mother of Karoline’s nephew and they have not spoken in many years. The child has lived full-time in New Hampshire with his father since he was born. He has never resided with his mother.” Reports also state that Ferreira has been arrested and entered the United States on a tourist visa. Needless to say, she’s an ideal target who would fit someone in an ICE agent’s quota.
While the fact that an extended family member of the White House Press Secretary has been detained by ICE is doubtless ironic, it isn’t actually good news for anyone. As one commenter puts it, “I almost laughed before I remembered that this was a human being grabbed by the Gestapo in 2025 America.” Of course, there are others who found this story to be quite cathartic. “Oh, look, Karoline! THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR OWN ACTIONS!” exclaims another.
Some on Reddit theorize that this situation is actually Michael Leavitt’s revenge against his ex, or perhaps it is a means to get out of payments for raising the child. As for the victim’s family, Ferreira’s sister has put up a GoFundMe to pay for legal fees and any other costs needed to bring her back home. The sister claims that Ferreira “has maintained her legal status through DACA, followed every requirement, and has always strived to do the right thing.”
In the end, those hoping that this arrest was some sort of ironic attack back at an infamous Trump supporter and politician will be quite disappointed. This was nothing more than ICE tearing away a mother from her friends and family; the only notable thing being that her ex’s sister works for the White House. And based on how Leavitt has shown her support for ICE and its actions, there’s little hope online that she’ll do anything to give assistance to her distant family member.
