A new controversy is unfolding in Washington as the media attempts to use a family dispute involving one of President Trump’s senior staffers to undermine the administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
The story centers around Bruna Ferreira — the mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew — who now claims she “made a mistake” by trusting the Leavitt family after she was detained by ICE.
ICE Arrest Sparks Political Agenda Against Trump’s Border Policies
Ferreira was detained by ICE on November 12 after overstaying a childhood visa dating back to 1998. Video of the arrest shows several unmarked SUVs surrounding her vehicle — a routine tactic for ensuring officer safety but now being sensationalized by left-leaning outlets.
She now faces deportation to Brazil, and critics of Trump’s renewed border-security efforts are trying to frame her as a “victim” of strict immigration enforcement.
Ferreira Claims Close Ties to Trump Staffer — White House Disputes It
While speaking from a Louisiana ICE detention center, Ferreira insisted she once considered Karoline Leavitt close enough to ask her to be her son’s godmother.
Ferreira said she had even chosen Karoline to be her son’s godmother instead of her own sister — a decision she now calls a mistake in trust.
She accused the Trump administration of distancing itself from her situation:
“Why they’re creating this narrative is beyond my wildest imagination,” she claimed.
However, the White House maintains Ferreira exaggerated her relationship with the Leavitt family, noting she was not involved in the child’s upbringing. Officials also shared a Department of Homeland Security statement describing her as a “criminal,” a standard classification for individuals who overstay visas and defy immigration law.
Media Attempts to Rewrite the Family History
The Washington Post attempted to portray a deeper connection between Ferreira and the Leavitt family, citing old photographs and court filings. Ferreira and Michael Leavitt — Karoline’s brother — reportedly shared childcare duties years ago after meeting at a nightclub and having a son before separating in 2015.
Michael Leavitt, however, stated plainly that he had no involvement in her arrest.
“I have no control over that and had no involvement in that whatsoever,” he said.
Ferreira Denies Being an Absent Parent
Ferreira pushed back against claims that she has been absent from her son’s life. She said she even approved his attendance at the White House Easter Egg Roll earlier this year and personally ensured he could attend Karoline Leavitt’s wedding in January — saying she “moved mountains” to make it happen.
A Deeper Concern: Media Targeting Trump Through Family Drama
For conservatives, this story is yet another example of the mainstream media weaponizing personal family issues to attack President Trump’s firmly supported immigration policies. Instead of focusing on illegal immigration, border chaos, and national security, media outlets are seizing on a domestic dispute to create a narrative aimed at undermining Trump’s leadership.
Mother Fears Separation from Son as Deportation Looms
Ferreira says her greatest fear is losing contact with her 11-year-old son.
“He needs me now,” she said. “He doesn’t need me in 20 years.”
Her emotional plea is now being used by Trump critics to push for weaker immigration enforcement — despite decades of bipartisan law supporting deportation for visa overstays.
Bottom Line: Immigration Enforcement Isn’t Personal — It’s the Law
While the media attempts to sensationalize the story as a “Trump family scandal,” the reality is far simpler: the administration is enforcing immigration laws that were ignored for years.
This case shows how easily personal disputes can be twisted into political attacks, especially against a president who has made border security and law enforcement a top priority for the American people.
