More Than $20,000 Donated for Brazilian Mother of Karoline Leavitt's Nephew After ICE Detention

A fundraiser to support Bruna Caroline Ferreira,a Brazilian immigrant and DACA recipient detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has climbed above $20,000, as her case gains national attention because she is the mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's nephew.

According to local press, Ferreira was arrested on November 12 in Revere, Massachusetts while driving to pick up her 11-year-old son. Ferreira was later transferred to a federal detention facility in Louisiana and now faces possible deportation to Brazil despite having lived in the United States for more than two decades.

Ferreira shares her son with Michael Leavitt, the press secretary's brother. The White House has not commented beyond confirming that Karoline Leavitt had no involvement in the arrest and was not contacted by immigration authorities before or after the detention.

The fundrasing campaigned started after Ferreira was detained and by the time this report was published it had amassed $20,034.

We want to take a moment to thank every single person who has donated, shared, and stood by our family during this incredibly painful time. Your generosity, kindness, and compassion have brought us strength on days when we felt completely overwhelmed.

Because of you, we are one step closer to bringing Bruna home from immigration detention and reuniting her with her son. Every donation, every message, every share, every prayer has meant more than we can ever express. You have shown us that we are not alone, and that there is so much goodness in this world even in the darkest moments.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in Bruna, for supporting her fight, and for giving our family hope. We will never forget the love you have shown us.

With endless gratitude,
Bruna's family

The arrest occurred less than two weeks before Thanksgiving, drawing emotional reactions on social media and amplifying the fundraiser, which was launched by Ferreira's sister. Donations accelerated after supporters circulated the page with calls to keep Ferreira with her child during the holiday season.

The family originally set a goal of $30,000 to cover legal representation, travel, case filings and associated support costs. As of Wednesday, the campaign had already collected close to two-thirds of that amount.

"She has lived here nearly her entire life," her sister wrote in the fundraiser description. "Her home, her job and her child are all here. We are asking for help so she can remain with her son, especially now."

Ferreira arrived in the United States in 1998 as a child on a tourist visa. She later became a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and has lived, studied and worked in New England for most of her life.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed her detention, stating she is considered unlawfully present due to overstaying her original visa. Officials also referenced a prior arrest in their justification. Ferreira's attorney disputes the characterization, saying she has no criminal record and was already pursuing legal permanent residency before the arrest.