The mother of a nephew belonging to Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt has broken her silence, branding comments made about her by the administration as "disgusting" and entirely false. Bruna Ferreira, 33, gave her first interview since being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in early November.
A Mother's Plea from Detention
Ferreira, who is the Brazilian mother of Leavitt's brother's 11-year-old son, Michael, spoke to The Washington Post from inside an ICE Processing Center in Louisiana. She has been held there since her arrest. Ferreira revealed she had tried to maintain a friendly relationship with the Leavitt family and expressed deep hurt over efforts to portray her as a criminal.
Her detention stems from overstaying a visa when she was a child, which is classified as a civil violation, not a criminal offence. Despite this, the White House circulated a Department of Homeland Security statement labelling Ferreira a 'criminal,' alleging a prior arrest for battery. The administration has not provided any documentation to support this claim when requested.
A Broken Bond of Trust
In a poignant detail, Ferreira disclosed the depth of her previous connection to Karoline Leavitt. "I asked Karoline to be godmother over my only sister," Ferreira told the newspaper. She added, "I made a mistake there, in trusting. … Why they’re creating this narrative is beyond my wildest imagination."
The situation highlights the intense personal conflicts that can emerge within the sphere of high-profile political immigration cases. Ferreira's case continues to develop as she remains in detention, separated from her young son.
White House Narrative Under Scrutiny
The clash between Ferreira's account and the official White House statement raises significant questions. The decision to label a visa overstay as a criminal matter, and the failure to substantiate further allegations, places the administration's narrative under direct challenge from the individual at the heart of the story.
This remains a breaking news story, and further updates are expected to follow.
