WORCESTER — District 5 City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj has been charged with assault and battery on a police officer and interfering with police in connection with a May 8 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation on Eureka Street.
The Worcester Police Department sought three charges against Haxhiaj on May 12 — two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and one count of interfering with police. At a closed-door hearing on June 4, a clerk-magistrate found probable cause to issue two of them: one count of assault and battery on a police officer and one count of interfering with police, according to the Telegram & Gazette.
According to court documents, Haxhiaj allegedly pushed Officer Shauna McGuirk in the chest and pulled her arm as McGuirk attempted to arrest Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira, a 40-year-old Worcester woman detained by ICE agents.
Witnesses said Haxhiaj was among those who formed a “human ring” around the woman being detained.
According to the Telegram & Gazette, Worcester police were called to Eureka Street by both ICE agents and residents who claimed the agents were acting improperly — including one who said they were calling on Councilor Haxhiaj’s behalf. Police said their role was solely to maintain order.
Haxhiaj was captured on body camera footage confronting police and objecting to the arrest.
According to The Maine Wire, the Worcester Police Patrol Officers’ Union accused Haxhiaj of “inciting aggression toward the police” and participating in what it described as a “chaotic crowd” that obstructed both local and federal officers.
Two others were arrested during the protest. Ashley R. Spring, 38, a Worcester School Committee candidate, was charged with assault and battery on a police officer and interfering with police. Authorities said she pushed officers and threw a liquid—later determined to be water—at them.
(Photo Courtesy of Etel Haxhiaj)
Police also arrested the 17-year-old daughter of Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira, who was the target of the ICE operation. She was charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Police said the teen stood in front of an ICE vehicle while holding a newborn in an effort to block its departure, then kicked the car as it began to drive away.
Haxhiaj has not issued a public statement since the charges were confirmed. She is scheduled to be arraigned on July 23 in Worcester District Court.
