Authorities are pursuing an investigation and charges against council members for allegedly inciting crowds attempting to prevent the arrest of undocumented individuals in Worcester, Massachusetts.
This is just one of several instances where officials have interfered with immigration enforcement, coinciding with the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to apprehend individuals with criminal records.
The local police union has accused Ether Haxhiaj, who represents District 5 in Worcester, of stoking aggression against ICE and local officers during a chaotic operation by the Department of Homeland Security on Friday. The Worcester Police Patrolmen’s union formally lodged the complaint in a statement on Saturday.
This incident followed a gathering of more than twenty bystanders yelling phrases like “No warrant!” and “No mother!” as authorities sought to arrest Ferreira de Oliveira, an undocumented immigrant recently charged with multiple offenses including violent attacks against pregnant victims, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Some reports indicate uncertainty about whether the bystanders were genuinely concerned neighbors or if the demonstration was organized by activist groups coinciding with the arrest effort.
Video footage captured Haxhiaj, dressed in a light blue shirt, interacting with officers as the situation escalated.
The police union’s statement remarked:
Etel Haxhiaj incited violent behavior against the police at the scene. She participated in the unruly activities and ultimately assaulted both local and federal law enforcement officers. Her conduct encouraged others to do the same.
In another video shared on YouTube, Haxhiaj appears animated, trying to justify her actions to those in charge.
This incident resulted in the arrest of two additional individuals.
One of those arrested was Ashley Spring, who is a candidate for Worcester’s school board, as reported.
The other arrested was de Oliveira’s daughter, who allegedly chased after an ICE vehicle and kicked it. Earlier, she had attempted to block an ICE car from leaving while holding a toddler.
Authorities noted that the daughter faced charges related to endangering a minor, disturbing the peace, obstructing justice, and resisting arrest. Fortunately, the infant was unharmed during the ordeal, as reported.
