Following the arrest, Michael Leavitt told WMUR that "The only concern has always been the safety, well-being, and privacy of my son." The father stated that his child had not spoken with Ferreira since her arrest and declared the mother "should not be sitting in a jail hours away from her family and from her child's life. She's a great mom, and from what I heard, I think he's been a pretty good dad," adding the mother "is locked up in Louisiana, where she should have never been in the first place."

Ferreira is now being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center while awaiting removal proceedings, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to NBC News, stating she violated her B2 tourist visa that required her departure by June 6, 1999. Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, challenged the arrest and the designation, claiming she "maintained her legal status" under the Obama-era DACA program and is working on her green card. Pomerleau asserted that "Bruna has no criminal record whatsoever" and that she "is abruptly arrested and taken from her young child right before Thanksgiving," challenging the DHS: "I don't know where that is coming from. Show us the proof. There's no charges out there. She's not a criminal illegal alien."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's 'criminal illegal alien' relative detained by ICE https://t.co/i80Ct03dnO pic.twitter.com/szCor8eJBl

— New York Post (@nypost) November 26, 2025

A relative establishing a GoFundMe page for Ferreira claimed she adhered to all protocols after being brought to the US in 1998, stating: "Since then, she has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here. She has maintained her legal status through DACA, followed every requirement, and has always strived to do the right thing." Separate source claims indicated that Michael Leavitt's son "has lived full-time in New Hampshire with his father since he was born. He has never resided with his mother." The father won $1 million from a Draft Kings fantasy football contest in 2014 when he was engaged to Ferreira and their son was an infant.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that "All individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation," which aligns with the administration's strategy. Since taking office, the Trump administration has engaged in a "mass deportation campaign," which includes a push for people unlawfully present in the country to "self-deport" as well as major law enforcement operations involving ICE, the Border Patrol, and the National Guard across the US.

At the time of Michael Leavitt's fantasy football win, Bruna Ferreira told the North Andover, Mass., Eagle-Tribune: "I need the lights fixed on the back of my car." She also added that they needed a lamp for her son's room, but otherwise, she observed that "Other than that we don't really need much. We have our health. We have a nice condo. We really are blessed."

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Applicant assimilation capacity would receive new emphasis through mandatory courses on "American history and values" and "respect for cultural norms." Europeans "targeted for peaceful expression of views online, such as opposition to mass migration or support for 'populist' political parties" would gain priority – apparent reference to Alternative for Germany, whose leaders minimized Holocaust significance and disparaged foreigners. Trump enacted several proposals before submission, including reduced admissions and Afrikaner priority status – South Africa's former apartheid-controlling white minority. Trump claims Afrikaners face racial persecution despite South African officials' disputes and police statistics showing no elevated white vulnerability to violent crime.

America's refugee acceptance generated excessive diversity according to submitted documents, stating "The sharp increase in diversity has reduced the level of social trust essential for the functioning of a democratic polity." Applications from hundreds of thousands already in the pipeline should be canceled, many having completed extensive security checks. Agencies proposed restricting numbers in high-immigrant communities to prevent "the concentration of non-native citizens."

"It reflects a preexisting notion among some in the Trump administration as to who are the true Americans," said Barbara L. Strack, former refugee affairs division chief at Citizenship and Immigration Services during Bush, Obama and Trump administrations. "And they think it's white people and they think it's Christians." Plans include intensive security vetting with expanded DNA testing and slashing annual admissions to 7,500 – drastically reduced from Biden's 125,000 limit.

Latest proposals call for US embassies making refugee referrals instead of the United Nations, enabling greater American pipeline control, according to a third draft The New York Times obtained. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau defended the approach at last month's UN General Assembly, stating "Saying that the process is susceptible to abuse is not being xenophobic, it is not being a mean or bad person."

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A decade of bureaucratic barriers for professional immigrants to Israel may be coming to an end following a groundbreaking government decision approved on Sunday that will streamline the licensing process for newcomers from Western countries.

After months of comprehensive preparations spearheaded by the Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer, in coordination with eight other ministries, licensed professionals planning to immigrate to Israel will now be able to initiate their licensing procedures before arriving in the country.

This marks a significant departure from the previous system, which required immigrants to first relocate to Israel before beginning a lengthy process of adapting their professional credentials to Israeli standards. The delay in obtaining Israeli licensing has historically been one of the most significant deterrents to immigration, often leading frustrated professionals to return to their countries of origin when faced with overwhelming bureaucratic obstacles.

The new framework will enable engineers, surveyors, veterinarians, accountants, insurance agents, financial advisors, social workers, and other professionals to submit their documentation remotely and secure temporary licenses prior to making aliyah and receiving their Israeli identity cards.

These temporary licenses will expedite the process of obtaining permanent credentials after arrival. Each profession will have its own specific standards determining the licensing timeline based on required specializations. Furthermore, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration will provide personalized guidance to each immigrant to facilitate their integration into the Israeli workforce.

Concurrent with this reform, the ministry is also implementing programs specifically designed to attract Jewish medical doctors from around the world to Israel. Ministry officials project the new policy will generate 3.8 billion shekels ($1.07 billion) for the Israeli economy by 2034.

Minister Sofer expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and fellow ministers for their support, hailing the decision as a watershed moment: "Today's government approval represents real progress for current and prospective immigrants to Israel. I thank my fellow ministers of Finance, Education, Justice, Welfare, Health, Agriculture and Labor for their commitment to this historic legislation. This necessary reform will enable immigrants to maximize their professional potential immediately upon arrival. There's no justification for not recognizing valid credentials from advanced nations in Israel. This marks a significant advancement for both our economy and immigration."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, congratulating Sofer, noted his long-standing advocacy for such reform despite bureaucratic resistance: "This is an initiative I've championed for years. The previous system wronged not only immigrants but Israel itself. Immigrants were subjected to unnecessary hardships. The removal of these employment barriers is truly welcome," Netanyahu said.

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President-elect Donald Trump declared he will initiate what he called "the largest deportation operation in American history" immediately upon taking office next month, The New York Post reports.

Speaking at Turning Point Action's AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Trump outlined his plans for a series of executive orders focused on immigration enforcement. "On my first day back in the Oval Office, I will sign a historic slate of executive orders to close our border to illegal aliens and stop the invasion of our country," Trump told the audience.

The president-elect emphasized that his planned deportation initiative would exceed the scope of similar operations under the Eisenhower administration. He has designated Tom Homan as his border czar to oversee the implementation of these policies. Homan had addressed the conservative conference earlier.

The former president concluded his remarks by reiterating his concerns about Panama's treatment of US interests regarding the Panama Canal, calling it "ridiculous, highly unfair" and promising that "The complete rip off of our country will immediately stop."

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The Supreme Court has directed the Beersheba District Court to reconsider a case in which the Interior Ministry seeks to revoke the citizenship of a Ukrainian man who immigrated to Israel in 1995. The state alleges the man's citizenship was fraudulently obtained.

The respondent received Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return, which grants automatic citizenship to individuals with Jewish heritage. Nearly two decades later, questions arose regarding the authenticity of the mother's birth certificate, with Ukrainian officials reportedly identifying inconsistencies in the archival records.

A separate document presented by the state purportedly raised further concerns, specifically the listing of the respondent's grandmother's nationality as "Jewish." Ukrainian officials suggested this record may have been falsified, noting her death certificate describes her nationality as "Ukrainian."

The district court ruled against revoking the man's citizenship, citing insufficient evidence. On appeal, the state introduced additional documentation under a classified report by Nativ, though the respondent received only a partial summary.

The respondent disputed the evidence, arguing that nationality listings in Ukrainian documents are unrelated to religious or ethnic identity. He sought the opportunity to question Nativ's representative about the new findings.

Justice Canfy-Steinitz admonished the state for delays in presenting critical evidence, calling the conduct "unsatisfactory."

The court underscored the high evidentiary threshold required to revoke citizenship, noting the severe consequences such actions can have on personal rights.

Nevertheless, the Supreme Court allowed the case to proceed in the interest of addressing serious fraud allegations. The matter was remanded to the district court to ensure a thorough examination and allow all parties to fully present their cases.

The court emphasized the importance of procedural fairness and clarity, given the high stakes involved in determining citizenship revocation.

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National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi will participate Sunday in a confidential meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense as well as the Aliyah and Integration committees on the situation in Ukraine and Russia. 

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The meeting follows a decision by the Aliyah and Integration Committee to close the special offices set up in both countries after the outbreak of the war to expedite the immigration process to Israel – despite the fact that the number of olim, especially from Russia, remains significant. 

Video: The aftermath of a drone attack in Moscow. Credit: Israel Hayom

The agenda also includes a recent decision by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry to redirect focus from encouraging aliyah from Eastern Europe to Western nations, such as the United States and France. 

The meeting was requested by  Likud's Yuli Edelstein, New Hope's Ze'ev Elkin, and Yisrael Beytenu's Oded Forer, who are expected to demand the emergency immigration centers – known as "One Stop Shops" – remain open. 

"Canceling the policy will put thousands of Jews at risk due to the war and instability in these regions," the three said in a joint statement. 

Edelstein and Elkin have criticized the Israeli government's approach to the war, calling for increased support for Ukraine. The two even met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv in February.

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Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer announced this week a new academic program designed to boost aliyah from France that has already drawn the interest of hundreds of potential immigrants, Israel Hayom has learned. 

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The announcement comes against the backdrop of the Aliyah and Integration Ministry switching its focus from encouraging aliyah from Eastern Europe to France and other Western nations. 

The program includes, among other things, medicine, and engineering studies at the Ariel University in Samaria, as part of which students will be able to learn in their native language for the first academic year without prior admission tests. Students will also be assigned mentors to aid them through the process. 

Masters degree students, in turn, will receive a free education along with accommodation for the first year of their studies as well as Hebrew lessons and mentorship. 

"Ever since I took office, I have stressed the importance of aliyah from France," Sofer said. The current plans are major news "for young immigrants from France. I view the immigration of youngsters to Israel as vital for the economy, academics, and the strengthening of the Zionist vision. The young academics who come to Israel strengthen the economy, enter the job market, and integrate into Israeli society."

Data shows that 25,264 immigrant students have moved to Israel in the past decade, with most studying at one of the four leading Israeli institutions – the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Reichman University in Herzliya, Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan, and Tel Aviv University. 

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Sweden awoke Monday to the prospect of weeks of political uncertainty after neither of the country's blocs secured a clear governing majority in an election, though it was clear that a populist anti-immigration party surged to become the country's second-largest political force.

With more than 94% of the ballots counted, the center-right opposition that includes the populist Sweden Democrats, had a razor-thin edge over the governing Social Democrats and their allies in the center-left bloc.

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The left bloc is headed by Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, who has not resigned. The result was so close that the election authority said a definitive outcome would not be known before Wednesday, when the uncounted votes, including those cast abroad, have been tallied.

With eight parties contending for seats, none will secure a majority of 175 seats in the 349-seat Riksdag, Sweden's parliament, meaning that laws can only be passed with different parties working together. "It is extremely close. Things can change but I doubt," said Zeth Isaksson, a sociologist at Stockholm University. "As it is now, it is more likely that the right side will win."

Votes abroad are traditionally conservative, meaning that the still-uncounted votes are unlikely to swing the momentum back to the left, according to Isaksson.

The biggest winner of the evening was undoubtedly the populist anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, which had a strong showing of nearly 21%, its best result ever. The party gained on promises to crack down on shootings and other gang violence that have shaken a sense of security for many in Sweden.

The party has its roots in the white nationalist movement but years ago began expelling extremists. Despite its rebranding, voters long viewed it as unacceptable and other parties shunned it. But that has been changing, and its result in this election shows just how far it has come in gaining acceptance.

The Social Democrats, who have been in power in Sweden since 2014, remain the largest party, even gaining slightly over four years ago to get 30.5% of the vote. Andersson said it was obvious that the social democratic movement, which is based on ideals of creating an equal society and a strong welfare state, remains strong in Sweden. The Sweden Democrats want to be part of a government, but this is unlikely to happen because there are parties in the center-right bloc that oppose it, Isaksson said.

Still, the party will have "a very strong leverage" and push for some of its issues, like tightening immigration laws. According to Isaksson, the Sweden Democrats may end up outside a government but as supporters of it. Isaksson also ruled out a governing coalition combining the center-right Moderates which have been leading the center-right bloc and the Social Democrats.

The Moderates dropped to become Sweden's third largest party and won 19%, based on the incomplete vote tally. However, party leader Ulf Kristersson on Monday appeared to be the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister. He told his supporters on election night that he stands ready to try to create a stable and effective government.

However, Sweden is likely to face a lengthy process to form a government, as it did after the 2018 election. Andersson, a 55-year-old economist, became Sweden's first female prime minister less than a year ago and led Sweden's historic bid to join NATO following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.

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The Israeli government is reportedly preparing for the possibility of thousands of Ukrainian Jews immigrating to the Jewish state in the event of a Russian invasion.

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Representatives of various Israeli government bodies met Sunday to discuss such a development, including the Prime Minister's Office, Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, Diaspora Affairs Ministry, and the Jewish Agency.

Also involved in the government briefing was Nativ, the organization that maintains connections between Israel and Jews in former Soviet bloc countries, the Haaretz daily newspaper reported.

Some 75,000 people living in eastern Ukraine are eligible for Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return.

Israel already has plans in place for the mass evacuation of Jews from various countries should the need arise, and recently updated those plans for Ukraine due to its rising tensions with Russia.

While there is currently no major rise in the number of Ukrainian Jews requesting to immigrate to Israel, and while many of those may not even seek to be evacuated or move to Israel, the situation could become the largest evacuation of Jews from a war-torn country in decades, according to the Haaretz report.

Meanwhile, the US State Department on Sunday ordered the families of its diplomats in Ukraine's capital Kyiv to leave the country "due to the continued threat of Russian military action."

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Washington also recently authorized the "voluntary" departure of its embassy employees.

Russia continues to mass tens of thousands of troops on its border with Ukraine, causing concerns over European security and a possible invasion by Moscow of Ukraine.

i24NEWS contributed to this report.

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Marilyn Berkowitz, 84, has a message for her fellow retirees thinking of heading south to sunny destinations: consider Israel.

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"A lot of our contemporaries have gone to Florida," the recent immigrant said. "But I think they should become sandbirds, not snowbirds."

Berkowitz and her husband, Joel Tenenbaum, 81, were profiled recently in the Jewish Telegraph Agency for a story on the record number of older Americans and Canadians choosing to retire on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean.

A few weeks ago, Joel Tenenbaum, 81, and Marilyn Berkowitz, 84, arrived in Tel Aviv on an El Al flight from New York ready to start their new lives in Israel.

They had met through @Jdate five years earlier. Each was…

https://t.co/cxuFw9Pdg6 via https://t.co/y3Jb3GvVth pic.twitter.com/YrECdgKxzn

— Nefesh B'Nefesh (@NefeshBNefesh) January 19, 2022

According to data compiled by Nefesh B'Nefesh, a non-profit organization that facilitates North American immigration to Israel, 762 immigrants to Israel from North America last year were 55-years-old and up, representing 17% out of the 4,478 total immigrants from across the Atlantic.

The record number of older olim (immigrants to Israel) in 2021 represents a 23% increase over the previous year's total of 580 immigrants 55 and over.

"Israel is becoming a more attractive place, specifically for people at the age of retirement," Marc Rosenberg, vice president of Diaspora partnerships at Nefesh B'Nefesh, told JTA.

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"With increasing technology, cell phones and internet use, Israel is much more international now, especially with apps that allow people to get around, navigate and do their banking online," he added.

Nefesh B'Nefesh has brought over 70,000 olim to Israel since 2002, of whom more than 90% have remained in the Jewish state.

i24NEWS contributed to this report.

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