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According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Breonna was arrested in Revere, Massachusetts. She was trying to search for her 11-year-old son, as a result of her relationship with Michael Levitt, Caroline’s brother. The motive for the arrest was his irregular stay in the country, which, according to WMUR radio, exceeded 26 years. She remains in custody at a south Louisiana detention center where she was transferred after her arrest.
It was Bruna Caroline’s sister, Graziela dos Santos Rodriguez, who launched the campaign on the GoFundMe platform to pay for the legal battle to remain in the United States. The goal was exceeded thanks to an anonymous donation of $5,000 from one person. As of Friday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $34,000.
“This Thanksgiving has been very different for our family, but even in the most difficult of times, we are so grateful for the love and support we have received,” Grazela wrote in a Thursday update on the campaign platform.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Breonna entered the United States on a B2 tourist visa, which required her to leave the country by June 6, 1999, and had previously been arrested for assault. It is now in the process of being removed.
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But the Brazilian’s lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, disputes the authorities’ account. He said Bruna was previously a beneficiary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides temporary protection from deportation to people brought to the United States as children. The Brazilian was not able to renew its status until a few years ago, when Donald Trump tried to end the program in his first administration.
“Bruna was brought to the United States by our parents in December 1998, when she was still a child… Since then, she has done everything in her power to build a stable and honest life here,” the Brazilian’s sister wrote in the fundraiser, adding that Bruna “has maintained her legal status through DACA.”
In her statement, Graziella thanked her sister’s attorney, Todd Pomerleau, for his efforts.
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In an interview with MBUR Radio, Michael Levitt said that his son lives with him and his current wife, and that he is in regular contact with his mother. According to reports, the child has had the opportunity to speak with Breonna since being detained by ICE.
According to the English newspaper Daily Mail, the Levitt family did not provide assistance or even support to Bruna. A person close to her told the newspaper, “This person is the mother of Caroline’s nephew, and they have not spoken for many years.”
Immigrants organize against operations in the United States
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Beware of the “ice” in the streets: migrants organize against operations in the United States – Photograph: Mark Felix/AFP
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With a daily message on Facebook, Mexican Martina Grivaldo warns the Latino community in Houston about the operations of the Immigration Service – Photograph: Mark Felix/AFP
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Arrests of illegal immigrants, even of people with visas or citizenship, have increased in recent months – Photograph: Marc Felix/AFP
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The events take place amid President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy. – Photography: Mark Felix/Agence France-Presse
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This strategy has increased fear in Latino neighborhoods, where agents have already been caught breaking car windows and removing passengers without apparent justification – Photograph: Mark Felix/AFP
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Martina, Francisco Mendoza (left) and other volunteers receive reports about possible operations and post them in real time on their Facebook page – Photograph: Mark Felix / AFP
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To warn of the presence of ICE, migrants use the shape of an ice cube, the literal translation of the abbreviation, next to the police officer icon – Photograph: Mark Felix/AFP
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It broadcasts its patrols live through the Latino neighborhoods of Houston, the fourth most populous city in the country and the largest in Texas – Photograph: Mark Felix/AFP
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According to activists, many agents do not identify themselves, do not submit arrest warrants, and sometimes act masked and wearing military jackets – Photograph: Mark Felix/AFP
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During sending operations, migrants send their greetings and thanks – Photograph: Mark Felix/AFP
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The groups use the word ice, in reference to the anti-immigration agency