Mother of Karoline Leavitt’s Nephew Raises Nearly $30,000 on GoFundMe After ICE Detention
A GoFundMe campaign for Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, had raised nearly $30,000 by Wednesday afternoon after Ferreira was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation,” the spokesperson said.
Why It Matters
Cracking down on illegal immigration was a central pillar of President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, and he moved quickly to ramp up large-scale deportations after returning to the White House in January. In September, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that more than two million undocumented immigrants have been deported since his inauguration.
Immigration policy continues to divide Americans, with critics arguing that the administration’s approach is excessively harsh and destabilizing for families.
What to Know
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, a Brazilian native, was arrested on November 12 and remains in custody, CNN reported, citing her attorney, Todd Pomerleau. Pomerleau told the outlet that Ferreira previously received protection under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which offers temporary relief from deportation to individuals brought to the U.S. before age 16.
She is the mother of Leavitt’s 11-year-old nephew. Leavitt’s brother, Michael, told New Hampshire outlet WMUR that his son has lived with him in the state since birth, but said Ferreira has continued to maintain a relationship with her child. The couple separated about a decade ago, Boston’s WBUR reported.
The GoFundMe campaign, organized by Ferreira’s family, has raised tens of thousands of dollars to support her legal fight. As of 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the fundraiser had brought in more than $23,000—79 percent of its $30,000 goal.
“Anyone who knows Bruna knows the kind of person she is. She is hardworking, kind, and always the first to offer help when someone needs it. Whether it’s supporting family, friends, or even strangers, Bruna has a heart that puts others before herself,” the GoFundMe description says.
The page notes that her absence has been “especially painful” for her son, who is hoping she will be home in time for the holidays.
A November 22 update on the fundraiser said the family is “one step closer to bringing Bruna home from immigration detention and reuniting her with her son.”
A White House source previously told Newsweek that Leavitt and Ferreira have not spoken in many years.
What People Are Saying
The GoFundMe organizers wrote: “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.”
The White House told WBUR: “Karoline had no involvement whatsoever in this matter.”
What Happens Next
Ferreira’s case will continue to move through the immigration courts, as debates over enforcement, deportations, and family separation remain at the center of the national political conversation.
