The current Immigration Crackdown, impacting thousands, has led to the detention of Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew. Ferreira, a Brazilian national, was arrested by ICE on November 12, 2025, in Revere, Massachusetts. This significant development in immigration enforcement, an Immigration Crackdown, sees her now detained in Louisiana, underscoring the intensified focus on immigration in current news cycles and the broader immigration enforcement efforts. The ICE detention of Ferreira highlights the realities of the current Immigration Crackdown.
Key Details of the Detention Amidst the Immigration Crackdown
Ferreira was reportedly en route to pick up her son when ICE agents stopped her. Her attorney stated that she was pulled over without immediate explanation before being transported to a detention facility in South Louisiana, a journey of nearly 1,700 miles from her home. This separation has caused significant distress to her family, highlighting the human impact of this Immigration Crackdown. The effectiveness of the current immigration enforcement policies is being questioned during this Immigration Crackdown.
Immigration Status and Legal Claims During the Immigration Crackdown
Officials claim Ferreira entered the U.S. on a tourist visa that reportedly expired in 1999. Her lawyer asserts that she had been actively pursuing permanent residency and was in the final stages of obtaining a green card, with her last interview scheduled for spring 2025. Ferreira also previously benefited from the DACA program. However, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson cited a previous arrest for battery as a reason for her detention. Ferreira’s attorney vehemently denies any criminal history, stating she has always strived to build an honest life and deserves due process. He also notes she maintained her immigration status through DACA, though DACA status can be jeopardized by criminal offenses, a common concern during an Immigration Crackdown and the ongoing deportation fight.
Broader Immigration Landscape and the Intensified Immigration Crackdown
This detention occurs during President Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement, a hallmark of his second administration’s focus on aggressive removal of unauthorized immigrants and pressure on states for cooperation. ICE detention numbers are notably high, with over 65,000 individuals detained as of November 16, 2025. Alarmingly, a significant portion of these detainees, 73.6%, lack criminal convictions, indicating a shift in ICE’s focus towards civil immigration violations, even without criminal charges. The Laken Riley Act, signed in January 2025, mandates detention for certain crimes and reflects the administration’s strict approach. Furthermore, detention numbers have surged, including individuals without any prior criminal history; nearly 97% of new detainees added after a government shutdown had no criminal record. This news exemplifies a broader pattern of increased detentions affecting individuals with long-standing ties to the U.S., a direct consequence of this Immigration Crackdown.
Family Ties and White House Connection Amidst the Immigration Crackdown
Ferreira is the former fiancée of Michael Leavitt, the brother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and they share an 11-year-old son. A source close to the White House indicated that Ferreira and Karoline Leavitt have not spoken in years. The child reportedly lives full-time with his father in New Hampshire and has never lived with his mother. Karoline Leavitt herself is a vocal proponent of the Trump administration’s immigration policies and has previously used strong language regarding unauthorized immigrants, though she has not publicly commented on this specific case. Her brother Michael Leavitt has expressed concern for his son’s well-being. Ferreira’s sister has launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for her legal defense, highlighting the family’s struggle and the human impact of this Immigration Crackdown.
Ongoing Deportation Fight and Due Process During the Immigration Crackdown
Bruna Caroline Ferreira is now engaged in a deportation fight. Her legal team is working diligently to secure her release, emphasizing her long-term presence in the U.S. since childhood. Her supporters are advocating for her right to due process. This case draws significant attention to the complexities of immigration laws and the effects of stringent immigration enforcement policies, including ICE detention. The situation continues to unfold, serving as a focal point in national discussions surrounding the Immigration Crackdown and the broader implications for individuals navigating the immigration system.
