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.
Democrat City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj (pictured) was seen trying to block the arrest of a migrant woman on May 8 in Worcester, Massachusetts by screaming and grabbing ICE agents
Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira, 40, (center) was arrested for illegally entering the US in August 2022. She has also been accused beating up her pregnant daughter
The overwhelming scene began when police officers arrived to help ICE officers who requested assistance with the rowdy crowd.
De Oliveira’s teenage daughter, dressed in a black and white sweater vest, was seen with her face on the hood of a car as officers surrounded her.
Haxhiaj was then seen interfering, as she put her finger in an officer’s face before turning to the 16-year-old, screaming: ‘Let her go! Do not touch her!’
Other people then gathered around the scene as the teen suspect shouted: ‘Don’t touch me!’
‘Don’t touch her!,’ Haxhiaj then yelled as she shoved an ICE officer’s arm and tried to get a hold of the girl.
During another moment, the councilwoman was seen arguing with several officers on the sidewalk begging them to let the teenager go.
‘She hasn’t done anything. She’s traumatized. She’s my constituent!,’ she yelled as officers pushed her back.
Haxhiaj added: ‘She’s my constituent and you’re hurting her!’
She then questioned why the minor was being arrested, telling officers: ‘She has done nothing!’
An officer then addressed her as councilor and warned her to back away.
He continued: ‘Back away and get your hands off of us!’
The unidentified 16-year-old (pictured) was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest
Haxhiaj is seen up-close in an officer’s body camera during the confrontation
Both de Oliveira and her teenage daughter, who has not been named, were taken into custody after the minor ran after the car her mother was in and kicked its passenger side, according to Mass Live.
Just before she ran toward the vehicle, she handed off her sister’s child to another person.
The juvenile was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. She was later released from custody.
De Oliveira, who authorities said is a ‘violent criminal illegal alien,’ has been charged with endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
The Worcester Police Department said the investigation is ongoing, Fox News reported.
DailyMail.com contacted Haxhiaj’s office, ICE and Foley’s office for comment.
