By Andrew StantonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberA GoFundMe for Bruna Ferreira, the mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, has raised nearly $30,000 by Wednesday afternoon after she was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Newsweek reached out to the GoFundMe organizers for comment.
"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 cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, and he quickly moved to begin mass deportations upon his return to the White House in January. DHS said in September that more than two million undocumented immigrants have been deported since his inauguration.
Immigration remains a divisive political issue, with many Americans believing his administration has gone too far.
What to Know
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, a Brazilian native, was arrested on November 12 and currently remains in custody, CNN reported, citing her attorney, Todd Pomerleau. Pomerleau told the news station that she was a former recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which granted temporary protection from deportation for those brought to the country before they were 16 years old.
...She is the mother of Leavitt’s 11-year-old nephew. Leavitt’s brother, Michael, said his son has lived with him in New Hampshire since he was born, but Ferreira has maintained a relationship with her child, reported WMUR, a New Hampshire-based news outlet. The couple split about a decade ago, Boston’s WBUR reported.
A GoFundMe for Ferreira, organized by her family, has raised tens of thousands of dollars for her legal case. As of 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the GoFundMe raised more than $23,000—79 percent of the $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 reads.
It states that her absence has been “especially painful” for her son, who hopes she will be home for the holidays.
A November 22 update stated that 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 Leavitt and Ferreira have not spoken in many years.
What People Are Saying
The GoFundMe reads: “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 play out through the legal system, as immigration remains at the forefront of political discourse.
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