U.S. immigration authorities have detained a woman who is the mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's nephew, according to a source familiar with the arrest.

A DHS spokesperson identified the woman as Bruna Caroline Ferreira.

A reporter with ABC New Hampshire station WMUR spoke with Leavitt's brother, Michael Leavitt, who also confirmed the arrest and said she was detained a few weeks ago.

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

According to Michael Leavitt, his 11-year-old son has lived with him since he was born but says the child maintains a relationship with his mother, WMUR reported.

A DHS spokesperson described Ferreira, a Brazilian national, as a "criminal illegal alien" who has a previous arrest for battery and overstayed a visa that expired in 1999.

"ICE arrested Bruna Caroline

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