The mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew has been ordered released from immigration detention, her attorney confirmed Monday.
Bruna Caroline Ferreira — who previously held DACA status and is currently seeking a green card — was granted release by an immigration judge on a minimum bond of $1,500.
Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, told ABC News that he argued in court that Ferreira is neither a “criminal illegal alien,” as described by the Department of Homeland Security, nor a flight risk. Ferreira is expected to be released Monday or Tuesday, he said.
The White House has not responded to ABC News’ request for comment.
DHS confirmed two weeks ago that Ferreira had been detained. Michael Leavitt, brother of the press secretary, also confirmed the arrest to WMUR, saying Ferreira had been taken into custody several weeks earlier.
A DHS spokesperson described Ferreira, a Brazilian national, as a “criminal illegal alien,” citing a previous arrest for battery and an overstayed tourist visa that expired in 1999.
“ICE arrested Bruna Caroline Ferreria, 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 departure by June 6, 1999,” the 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.”
Pomerleau has pushed back strongly, saying his client has no criminal record. “Show us the proof,” he told WCVB after news of her arrest became public.
He also said Ferreira entered the U.S. legally, previously held DACA protections, and was on track to obtain a green card. According to Pomerleau, she was arrested in her car in Massachusetts without a warrant — and now must fight her case from Louisiana, thousands of miles from home.
Pomerleau added that he does not believe Ferreira’s family connection to Karoline Leavitt will influence the case, calling it “happenstance.”
