Worcester City Councilwoman Etel Haxhiaj was charged with assaulting an officer after inciting a mob to block ICE officers from arresting an illegal alien accused of attacking a pregnant woman.
As previously reported, the Worcester Police Patrol Officers’ Union called for an ethics investigation into City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj following a chaotic incident during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation last Thursday.
The union alleges that Haxhiaj incited a crowd and assaulted both local and federal law enforcement officers attempting to detain Ferreira de Oliveira, an illegal immigrant accused of violent crimes, including assault with a dangerous weapon and assault on a pregnant woman, Boston 25 News reported.
According to reports, approximately 25 individuals gathered in a Worcester neighborhood to protest the arrest and attempted to block the unmarked ICE vehicle. Haxhiaj is accused of participating in the protest and physically confronting officers on the scene.
WATCH:
OBSTRUCTION? Extended version of Worcester City Councilor Haxhiaj holding the hands of “violent criminal illegal alien” around her waist to prevent ICE arrest Thurs from now deleted IG post. The illegal, Ferreira de Oliveira facing charges of A&B on a pregnant woman. #mapoli pic.twitter.com/u78Qe2ZGZf
— JohnFGately (@johnfgately) May 11, 2025
Etel Haxhiaj was charged with one count of assault and battery and once count of interfering with police following an ICE operation.
The Boston Herald reported:
The Worcester city councilor who tried to block the arrest of a criminal illegal immigrant accused of assaulting her pregnant daughter has been charged in connection with the chaotic altercation.
City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj has been charged with one count each of assault and battery on a police officer and interfering with police during the controversial ICE showdown, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette first reported.
The Worcester Police Department sought three charges against Haxhiaj on May 12, according to court records made available on Wednesday, shortly after a district court clerk magistrate found probable cause to charge the councilor with two of the crimes during a closed-door meeting, the Telegram reported.
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