Simone Rios

Michael Levitt told WBUR that he wants his 11-year-old son to have a relationship with his mother, who came to the U.S.

from Brazil as a child.

But he's also urging her to self-deport, saying that could allow her to later return to the U.S.

Levitt says he did not ask his sister, the White House press secretary, for help.

Ferreira's sister says she did call Caroline Levitt after the arrest and still hasn't heard back.

For NPR News, I'm Simone Rios.

Levitt's brother, Michael Levitt, shares a child with a Brazilian woman named Bruna Ferreira.

Her family said the couple separated a decade ago.

Two weeks ago, ICE agents arrested Ferreira and sent her to a facility in Louisiana.

Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin says Ferreira overstayed a tourist visa and was once arrested for battery.

Ferreira's family says she has deferred action immigration status and she's a hardworking person who helps those in need.

For NPR News, I'm Simone Rios.