ICE Detainee Bruna Ferreira Speaks Out After Release
Monday, December 15, 2025
Mother of White House press secretary's nephew detained 26 days, transported across five states
Bruna Ferreira, 33, gave her first television interview with CNN following her November 12 ICE arrest in Revere, Massachusetts, while driving to pick up her 11-year-old son from school. The Brazilian native, who is the mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's nephew, was detained for 26 days and transported through facilities in five states before reaching Louisiana, over 1,500 miles from her arrest location. An immigration judge ordered her release this week on $1,500 bond, the minimum allowed by law. Ferreira, who has been in the US since age 6 and is a former DACA recipient, disputes DHS claims of criminal history and has not been reunited with her son since her release.
Key Facts
- Detained for 26 days starting November 12 in Revere, Massachusetts
- Transported across five states, ending 1,500+ miles away in South Louisiana ICE Processing Center
- Released on $1,500 bond, the minimum amount allowed under law
- Has been in the United States since age 6, former DACA recipient
- Son's godmother is White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, whom she has not spoken to since arrest
- Operates two businesses and disputes DHS criminal history claims
- Required to wear GPS monitor and attend periodic ICE check-ins