The democrat City Council member who tried to stop ICE from arresting an illegal migrant has formally been charged with assault and battery and interfering with police.
Worcester City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj has been charged with assault and battery on a police officer and interfering with police after she tried to block ICE from arresting an illegal migrant back in May.
ICE & CBP were detaining a 40-year-old Brazilian woman who entered the U.S. illegally in August 2022.
Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira also faces charges for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault on a pregnant juvenile.
As agents apprehended Oliveira, a crowd of about 25 residents who formed a “human ring” to block the arrest, chanting “Don’t take the mother!” and “No warrant!”
Haxhiaj, an immigrant from Albania was seen on body cam footage yelling at agents, and holding on the illegal migrant trying to prevent the arrest.
According to a criminal complaint, Haxhiaj allegedly pushed Officer Shauna McGuirk in the chest and pulled her arm while McGuirk arrested Ferreira de Oliveira’s 17-year-old daughter, who was charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest after kicking an ICE vehicle.
Haxhiaj is also accused of pulling on the restraints of Ferreira de Oliveira and holding onto the side mirror of the ICE transport vehicle, obstructing federal agents.
DHS criticized Haxhiaj, accusing her of pulling a “political stunt” that “incited chaos.
They emphasized that Ferreira de Oliveira was a “violent criminal alien” targeted under the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley sent out a warning that anyone obstructing ICE operations would face investigation, and possible prosecution calling such actions “disturbing” and a risk to public safety.
The Worcester Police Patrol Officers’ Union said Haxhiaj was “unfit to serve” and demanded an ethics investigation. “Her behavior emboldened others to act in this manner,” the union stated
