- Immigration judge granted Bruna Caroline Ferreira release on a minimum $1,500 bond while she pursues a green card.
- Attorney argued Ferreira is not a criminal or flight risk, challenging DHS claims of a prior battery arrest and visa overstay.
- Detention drew attention due to her family tie to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, raising scrutiny of enforcement actions.
In a developing story tied to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts, the mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew has been ordered released from immigration detention, her attorney confirmed on Monday.
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, a Brazilian national who is in the process of obtaining a green card and previously held DACA status, was granted release by an immigration judge on a minimum bond of $1,500.
Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, told ABC News that he successfully argued during a hearing that Ferreira is neither a “criminal illegal alien” — as initially described by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — nor a flight risk.
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Details of the Release Case
Ferreira is expected to be released as early as Monday or Tuesday, Pomerleau said.
The case first came to light two weeks ago when DHS publicly confirmed Ferreira’s detention.
At the time, a DHS spokesperson issued a strong statement, calling her a “criminal illegal alien from Brazil” with a previous arrest for battery and noting that she had overstayed a B2 tourist visa that expired on June 6, 1999.”
ICE arrested Bruna Caroline Ferreira, a criminal illegal alien from Brazil.
She has a previous arrest for battery. She entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa that required her to depart the U.S. by June 6, 1999,” the DHS spokesperson said.
“She is currently at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center and is in removal proceedings. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation.”
Why This Immigration Case Exploded
The detention drew attention due to Ferreira’s family connection: she is the mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, making her the sister-in-law of Leavitt’s brother, Michael Leavitt.
A reporter from ABC’s New Hampshire affiliate WMUR spoke with Michael Leavitt, who confirmed the arrest had occurred a few weeks prior.
Pomerleau pushed back strongly against DHS’s characterization shortly after the arrest was announced.
In an interview with Boston ABC station WCVB, he stated: “Bruna has no criminal record whatsoever, I don’t know where that is coming from. Show us the proof.”
He further explained that Ferreira entered the country lawfully, had previously held DACA protections, and was actively pursuing a green card.
Pomerleau described the arrest as occurring in her car in Massachusetts without a warrant, forcing him to litigate the case in Louisiana — thousands of miles from her home.
At the time, Pomerleau downplayed any potential impact from the high-profile family tie, telling WCVB that he believed it was just “happenstance” and wouldn’t affect the proceedings.
The White House did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment on the latest development.
This case highlights the ongoing tensions and individual stories emerging amid broader immigration enforcement policies in the new administration.
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