Bruna Ferreira, a Boston-area resident originally from Brazil, has been detained by U.S. immigration agents in Revere, Massachusetts. This incident is part of a larger immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. Ferreira came to the U.S. as a child and is currently held at an ICE facility in Louisiana.
She was taken into custody while on her way to pick up her 11-year-old son from school in New Hampshire. Witnesses reported that her car was unexpectedly surrounded by ICE agents. Her sister, Graziela, expressed concern for Ferreira’s emotional state during the encounter, noting that she has lived in the U.S. since she was six and considers herself more American than anything else.
A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Ferreira has a previous arrest for battery and entered the U.S. on a tourist visa that expired in 1999. They stated that all individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. are subject to deportation under current policies.
Karoline Leavitt, a prominent White House press secretary, is related to Ferreira through her brother, who shares a child with Ferreira. In a statement, Leavitt emphasized her concern for the wellbeing and privacy of her son, who has lived primarily with his father.
Ferreira’s attorney reported that she is currently navigating a lawful immigration process and claims to have maintained her status through DACA, which protects some young immigrants from deportation. Graziela has started a GoFundMe page to help cover Ferreira’s legal fees and has raised over $16,000, highlighting her sister’s dedication to helping others.
Historically, DACA recipients have faced uncertainty regarding their status and protection from deportation. Although the program was designed to shield eligible individuals from removal, recent statements from DHS underscore that DACA does not guarantee legal status. Indeed, there is a trend of DACA recipients being caught up in immigration sweeps, despite a Supreme Court ruling that blocked efforts to end the program during Trump’s first term.
Today’s immigration policies continue to impact many families across the U.S., bringing attention to the personal connections that intertwine with broader policy debates. These stories reflect not just the struggles of individuals but also the shifting landscape of immigration in America.
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