The Worcester, Mass., Police Union is calling City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj “unfit to serve” and demanding an ethics investigation after she allegedly tried on Thursday to physically prevent local police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from arresting an illegal immigrant accused of assaulting a pregnant woman.
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“This councillor participated in the conduct of the unruly crowd, and eventually assaulted both Worcester police and federal law enforcement officers on scene. Her behavior also emboldened others to act in this manner. The conduct of this anti-police activist councilor is deplorable and unacceptable,” said the Worcester Police Patrol Officers’ Union.
“We demand that the city conduct an ethics investigation into her conduct. No doubt, federal authorities will also review the incident and determine whether federal charges may be coming for those involved. No one has the right to act in such a reckless manner towards police officers, and we demand accountability for all criminals and ethically deplorable behavior,” they added.
Haxhiaj was caught on video appearing to use herself as a human shield to prevent the illegal immigrant, Ferreira de Oliveira, from being arrested. The video shows Ferreira standing behind Haxhiaj, with her arms around the councilor, as officers try to pry her off the illegal immigrant.
The footage appears to show Haxhiaj pushing one ICE officer in the face after she is separated from the illegal, and goes on to show the councilor returning to the illegal with a group of other protesters and continuing to attempt to obstruct law enforcement.
Local and federal law enforcement were eventually able to control the situation and take de Oliveira into custody, but they were forced to arrest two members of the mob. One, Ashley Spring, 38, is currently running for a position on the Worcester School Committee, and the other, a minor, is the daughter of the illegal immigrant.
Spring allegedly pushed multiple officers before throwing an unidentified liquid at them, and is now facing charges of assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, and interfering with a police officer.
The juvenile allegedly attempted to block a police car by standing in front of it while holding an infant. After a warning from police that she was endangering the baby, the girl eventually handed the child to someone else. As the police car was pulling away, the minor allegedly kicked the car and attempted to run towards it, at which point she was arrested. She faces charges of reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.
Footage of the incident remains under investigation, and further charges may follow for members of the mob who are found to have assaulted officers.
After the controversial raid, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement to Spectrum News Worcester 1, explaining the raid.
“The target of this ICE deportation was a violent criminal illegal alien, Ferreira de Oliveira. She was arrested by local police for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a pregnant victim,” said the DHS.
“Parents, who are here illegally, can take control of their departure. Through the CBP Home App– The Trump Administration is giving parents here illegally in the country a chance to take full control of their departure and self-deport, with the potential ability to return the legal, right way and come back to live the American dream,” they added.
Following the incident, the Worcester City Manager, Eric Batista, issued a statement clarifying that it is the city’s policy to never arrest someone based on immigration status, but also not to interfere with federal law enforcement.
“The municipality will never target individuals based on their immigration status and reaffirms that the City of Worcester and Worcester Police Department does not assist with ICE civil detainments, according to Massachusetts State Law, but may not interfere with it,” he said.
Multiple city councilors expressed outrage over the ICE raid, including Thu Nguyen, a female who identifies as non-binary, who made headlines earlier this year when she accused another official of misgendering her. That controversy ultimately led Worcester to declare itself a transgender sanctuary city after a lengthy public hearing.
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The general opposition to ICE expressed by Worcester officials after the incident suggests that the city may not be planning any disciplinary action against Haxhiaj.
