Bruna Ferreira holds her young son in a family photo shared by her sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, on GoFundMe. Opposite: Republican strategist Karoline Leavitt, whose nephew is Ferreira’s child.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | November 2025
A New Hampshire family is pleading for answers and support after Bruna Ferreira, the mother of Republican strategist Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, was detained by federal immigration authorities. Ferreira’s family has issued a public statement through a GoFundMe page created by her sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, describing her detention as sudden, confusing, and deeply disruptive for her young son.
The GoFundMe post includes a photo of Bruna holding her son, an image that has now spread across social platforms as relatives call for her release and challenge the government’s description of her immigration status.
Family Describes “Terrifying” Detention and Separation
According to Rodrigues’ account on GoFundMe, Ferreira was taken into custody earlier this month during what the family says was a routine interaction with immigration officials. The post states that Ferreira has lived in the United States for years, has deep family ties in New England, and is in the process of pursuing legal status.
Rodrigues says Ferreira’s young son has been left distraught, adding:
“She is a loving mother, a hard worker, and our family is devastated. We are doing everything we can to bring her home.”
The fundraiser states that the family is seeking help to cover legal fees and support Ferreira’s son while they navigate the case.
Attorneys Say She Has No Criminal Record
Ferreira’s legal counsel has issued direct statements contradicting claims from the Department of Homeland Security. Her attorneys state that she has no criminal record, previously held DACA protections, and has been actively working with immigration authorities as part of a long-term case.
One attorney, speaking publicly, said Ferreira “has complied with every requirement placed on her” and is “not a danger, not a flight risk, and not someone who should be in a detention center.”
DHS Spokesperson Issues Statement on Her Custody
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson provided a statement—distributed directly to reporters but not posted on DHS or ICE press pages, asserting that Ferreira is being held for immigration violations, including a visa overstay and what the agency described as a prior arrest.
Ferreira’s attorneys and family dispute the existence of such a criminal history. Public Massachusetts court records accessible online do not show a matching conviction, and her attorneys maintain that the government’s characterization is inaccurate.
No Public ICE Record Posted
A search of publicly available DHS and ICE databases shows no posted press release and no publicly accessible detainee notice associated with Ferreira as of today. ICE’s detainee locator system requires either an A-number or country of origin and date of birth, which the family has not publicly shared.
Case Highlights Ongoing Tension Between Federal Enforcement and Mixed-Status Families
Ferreira’s detention comes as immigration arrests, especially of long-term residents with U.S. citizen children, continue to attract national attention. While her relationship to Karoline Leavitt, a prominent political figure, has amplified visibility, the core of the case rests on competing narratives: a government framing her as an immigration violator with prior legal issues, and a family and legal team asserting that she is a law-abiding mother caught in an overzealous enforcement system.
As of today, Ferreira remains in federal custody. Her family says they are preparing further legal filings and hope community support will help them reunite Bruna with her son as quickly as possible.
