Lawyers for the mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew are accusing the White House Press Secretary of lying about their family relationship amid an ongoing immigration case.
The Brazilian woman, identified as Bruna Ferreira, is currently detained in a Louisiana ICE facility, where she has remained throughout November. Immigration officials picked her up earlier this month in Revere, Massachusetts.
A White House source previously told the Daily Mail that Ferreira and Leavitt have not spoken in years. Ferreira’s attorney, Todd Pomerleau, says that is not true.
While speaking to The Daily Beast, he said Ferreira and Leavitt have seen one another within the past year, possibly within the last several months.
Pomerleau also said Ferreira was present with the Leavitt family at a recent soccer game for her son, Michael Jr, who is 11.
He questioned how the family could claim they had no connection to Ferreira while allowing her to attend family events shortly before her detention.
He said Ferreira once chose Leavitt to be the godmother of her son, ahead of her own sister, and remains proud of her success in the Trump administration.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has labeled Ferreira as a “criminal illegal alien.” Officials say she once faced an arrest for battery and remained in the country after her visa expired.
Pomerleau disputes the narrative that Ferreira was absent from her child’s life. He said she had been trying to secure legal status through DACA and was pursuing residency when she was taken into custody.
A White House insider said Michael Jr has lived full-time with his father, Michael Leavitt Sr, since birth. The insider also claimed Ferreira has not lived with her son and has had limited contact in recent years.
Michael Sr said his son lives with him and his wife full-time, but still communicates with Ferreira. He said his priority is protecting his child’s well-being and privacy.
Ferreira was reportedly detained by ICE officers who approached her as she attempted to pick up Michael Jr. Her sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, says the arrest unfolded suddenly and terrified her sibling.
Rodrigues said Ferreira has lived in the United States since she was six years old and sees herself as more American than anything else.
She also claimed Ferreira was told to self-deport. Rodrigues questioned where her sister would go, saying Brazil has not been her home since childhood.
The family has launched a GoFundMe to support Ferreira’s legal fight. The campaign surpassed its $30,000 goal after an anonymous donor supplied $5,000.
Rodrigues thanked supporters and said the donations gave the family hope during the immigration battle. She also credited Pomerleau for his work on the case.
She said Leavitt has not reached out to assist. Rodrigues claims she has her phone number but has made no contact.
A DHS spokesperson said Ferreira entered the U.S. legally on a tourist visa but failed to leave before the 1999 deadline. Officials say all undocumented individuals are now subject to deportation.
