ICE Releases Bruna Ferreira on $1,500 Bond Amid Family Ties to White House Press Secretary

ICE released 33‑year‑old Bruna Ferreira from custody after an immigration judge set a $1,500 bond, even as her case remains in removal proceedings.

Background of the Arrest

On Nov. 12, Bruna Caroline Ferreira was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Revere, Massachusetts. The arrest occurred while she was driving to pick up her 11‑year‑old son in New Hampshire. Ferreira, a longtime Massachusetts resident, had previously been engaged to Michael Leavitt, the brother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

After her initial detention in Vermont, ICE transferred her to a facility in Louisiana. During the transfer, her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, sent a text message arguing that Ferreira was neither a danger nor a flight risk. He added that the government had “stipulated to our argument and never once argued that she was criminal illegal alien and waived appeal.”

Court Decision and Bond

An immigration judge granted Ferreira a release on a $1,500 bond. The judge’s ruling allows her to remain free while she continues in removal proceedings, subject to periodic mandatory check‑ins with ICE law enforcement. Pomerleau’s text highlights that the judge accepted the argument that Ferreira posed no threat.

The judge’s decision is significant because it reflects a willingness to consider the individual circumstances of a detainee, rather than applying a blanket approach to all cases. The bond amount and the requirement for check‑ins are standard procedures for individuals released from ICE custody.

DHS Statement and Legal Context

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson released a statement on Monday describing Ferreira as a “criminal illegal alien from Brazil.” The statement also noted that she had a previous arrest for battery, entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa that required departure by June 6, 1999, and that a Biden‑appointed judge had allowed her to be eligible for bond.

The spokesperson added that, “If she pays the bond, she will be released while she continues in removal proceedings. She will have periodic mandatory check‑ins with ICE law enforcement to ensure she is abiding by the terms of her release.” The statement concluded that the Department would continue to work to remove all aliens illegally present in the country as quickly as possible and offered a self‑deportation program with a $1,000 stipend, a free flight home, and a chance to re‑enter the United States legally in the future.

Attorney’s Defense and DACA History

Pomerleau disputes the DHS statement and says he has seen no evidence that Ferreira ever committed a crime. He explains that Ferreira came to the U.S. as a toddler and later enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, an Obama‑era policy that shields immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. He also notes that she was in the process of applying for a green card.

In an interview last month, Pomerleau said, “She came here at 6 years old.” He added, “Age of 6, and they’re calling her a criminal illegal alien.” When asked about the visa violation claim, he replied, “They’re saying she violated a visa. You can’t violate a visa under the immigration laws until six months after your 18th birthday. By then, she already had DACA, which you can’t get if you’re a criminal illegal alien, cause of its disqualifying factors for people who have crimes.”

Family Connections and Public Response

Karoline Leavitt grew up in New Hampshire and made an unsuccessful run for Congress from the state in 2022 before becoming Donald Trump’s spokesperson for his 2024 campaign and later joining him at the White House. Ferreira shares custody of her son with Leavitt’s brother, Michael. A source confirmed the family connection, but said the two women have not spoken in years. The White House press secretary has not publicly commented on the case.

Pomerleau described the past relationship between Ferreira and Michael as typical of many young couples. “Like a modern family,” he said. “They’re two people that were young and in love at one point. They were engaged to be married, and it didn’t work out, like countless others.”

NBC10 Boston’s Oscar Margain contributed to this report.

Key Takeaways

• Bruna Ferreira was released on a $1,500 bond after ICE arrested her on Nov. 12 in Revere.
• The DHS statement labels her a “criminal illegal alien,” but her attorney disputes the claim.
• Ferreira’s history includes DACA enrollment and a pending green‑card application.
• She is connected by family ties to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, though the press secretary has not commented.

The case highlights the complexity of immigration enforcement, the role of family connections in public attention, and the ongoing debate over how to handle individuals who have lived in the U.S. since childhood.