migrants

ICE Detains Brazilian Relative of White⁢ House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt

REVERE,MA – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ⁢detained Bruna Ferreira,a ⁣Brazilian national and relative of White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt,at the South Louisiana ICE ‍Processing Center as of November 12th. The detention has sparked a debate over immigration enforcement and the status of⁢ recipients of the ​Deferred ‌Action ⁣for Childhood ⁣Arrivals (DACA) program.

According to ⁣a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Ferreira is an “criminal undocumented foreigner from Brazil” who ‍overstayed her tourist visa, which expired in June 1999. The spokesperson also ⁤stated that Ferreira had an outstanding arrest warrant for suspicion of assault, though the resolution of​ that‍ case remains unclear.

However, Ferreira’s attorney, todd Pomerleau, vehemently disputes this characterization.⁢ he asserts that Ferreira arrived in the United States legally as a child⁢ and is currently in the process of obtaining her permanent resident card through DACA. “Bruna has no criminal record. I don’t know where that ⁢comes from. Show us the evidence. There‌ are no charges.She is not a criminal or an illegal immigrant; we are hearing that from anyone who is not a U.S. citizen,” Pomerleau stated. He further explained that Ferreira was unable to renew her DACA permit during the Trump governance due to efforts to dismantle the ⁣program.

The case ​is especially sensitive ‌given Leavitt’s prominent role in the White House. While Ferreira is not ‌directly related to Karoline leavitt, she is the partner of⁢ Leavitt’s nephew. Leavitt reported that her nephew lives with his father and stepmother in New hampshire, but maintains a relationship with Ferreira. ‍Leavitt’s brother ⁢declined to comment on camera, citing concern ​for ‍his son’s privacy and well-being.

Ferreira’s family has launched a ​GoFundMe campaign to help‍ cover legal expenses. They state that⁣ she‌ was brought to the ⁢United States in 1998 and has “done​ everything in her power to build a stable and honest life here.” They​ maintain that Ferreira has legal status through DACA,which provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to individuals brought to the U.S.as children.

Ferreira’s​ detention is not an isolated incident. The​ Associated Press reports that at least 20 DACA recipients, known as “Dreamers,” have been ⁣detained by ICE in recent ‍months. despite government claims that ICE prioritizes the detention of‌ criminals, many⁢ of those arrested in the recent surge launched by the Trump Administration have ⁤no criminal record and have lived and worked in the U.S. for decades.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia ⁣McLaughlin, clarified that DACA recipients⁣ can lose their status “for several reasons, including if they have committed a crime.”

The⁣ case raises questions about the scope of immigration enforcement and the vulnerability of DACA recipients, even those with no criminal history, under the current administration.