White House Press Secretary Leavitt's relative detained

U.S. President Donald Trump's strict policy toward immigrants has once again come to the fore, this time involving a member of his own administration.

It has emerged that Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's niece, has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

It was reported that Ferreira was detained in the city of Revere, Massachusetts, and that deportation proceedings are ongoing. It was stated that Ferreira is being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center.

CLASSIFIED AS AN ILLEGAL ALIEN

U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin shared information that Ferreira had overstayed a tourist visa that expired in 1999 and was therefore "illegally present" in the country. Stating that Ferreira is classified as a "criminal illegal alien from Brazil," the spokesperson noted that Ferreira had been arrested on suspicion of assault, though the outcome of that case remains unclear. McLaughlin emphasized that immigration enforcement continues with determination, reiterating that anyone illegally present in the country faces the risk of deportation.

LEAVITT HAS NOT MADE A STATEMENT ON THE MATTER

A source close to Leavitt's family said that Ferreira has never lived with Leavitt's niece, that the child has been raised by her father in New Hampshire since birth, and that she has had no contact with her mother for years. Leavitt has not yet made a statement regarding the matter.

In a GoFundMe campaign launched by Ferreira's family, it was stated that Ferreira was brought to the U.S. as a child in 1998, where she has led a stable and honest life, and they expressed their opposition to the deportation decision. The family stated that Ferreira had received protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allowed her to "maintain legal status." Those who benefit from DACA can be deported from the country for various reasons, including the commission of crimes.

News Source: İHA