Police bodycam footage captured the chaotic moment a Massachusetts councilwoman attempted to block the arrest of a migrant who allegedly beat up her pregnant daughter.
The intense encounter took place on May 8 in Worcester – about 50 minutes outside of Boston – when ICE agents confronted a crowd of about 25 ‘unruly’ activists as they tried to arrest Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira.
De Oliveira, a 40-year-old Brazilian national, entered the US illegally in August 2022.
While agents attempted to apprehend de Oliveira, who is accused of assaulting her pregnant 16-year-old daughter, Democrat City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj was seen grabbing ICE officers and shouting at them to ‘get out of our neighborhood.’
Following the dramatic incident, authorities said Haxhiaj ‘incited aggression towards the police’ and ‘eventually assaulted both Worcester police and federal law enforcement officers on scene.’
The Worcester Police Patrolman’s Union also noted that the councilwoman’s ‘behavior also emboldened others to act in this manner,’ as many bystanders were seen filming the moment and also screaming at officers.
Officials have called for an ethics investigation to take place following the ordeal, as Massachusetts US Attorney Leah Foley warned that her office will look into anyone who tries to interfere with ICE operations, including elected officials.
‘This conduct poses significant public and officer safety risks. It is conduct that should be vilified rather than glorified,’ Foley said.
Hellbound and Down 