A fundraiser for Bruna Caroline Ferreira, a Brazilian immigrant and DACA recipient detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has raised more than $30,000 as her case draws national attention. Ferreira is the mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew.
According to local reports, Ferreira was arrested on November 12 in Revere, Massachusetts, while driving to pick up her 11-year-old son. She 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 over two decades.
Ferreira shares her son with Michael Leavitt, the press secretary’s brother. The White House has said only that Karoline Leavitt had no role in the arrest and was not contacted by immigration authorities before or after Ferreira’s detention.
The fundraising campaign began shortly after Ferreira was taken into custody and had reached $30,034 by the time of publication.
In a public message, Ferreira’s family expressed deep gratitude to those who have contributed and shown support during what they described as an “incredibly painful time.” They said that each donation, message, and share has helped them feel less alone and has brought them closer to reuniting Bruna with her son. The family added that the outpouring of generosity has given them hope and that they will not forget the compassion they have received.
The timing of the arrest — less than two weeks before Thanksgiving — prompted particularly emotional responses on social media and helped boost the fundraiser, which was started by Ferreira’s sister. Donations grew as supporters circulated the page with appeals to keep Ferreira with her child through the holidays.
The family initially set a $30,000 goal to cover legal representation, travel, case filings and related expenses. As of Wednesday, the campaign had already raised 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 first came to the United States in 1998 as a child on a tourist visa. She later became a participant in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and has spent most of her life living, studying and working in New England.
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed her detention, saying she is considered unlawfully present because she overstayed her original visa and citing a prior arrest in its explanation. Ferreira’s attorney disputes that account, maintaining she has no criminal record and was already in the process of pursuing legal permanent residency when she was detained.
