WORCESTER, MA – Video showing the moments a Massachusetts U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest was disrupted by what police are calling a “chaotic incident” has circulated social media.
The footage, according to Fox News, shows a group of about 25 residents chanting “don’t take the mother!” and “no warrant!” after a woman was led into an SUV by uniformed ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. Before the vehicle can pull away, other women are seen placing their hands on the front hood of an SUV and screaming in protest.
At one point, the video shows a CBP agent and a bystander start shoving each other as he tried to move her away from the SUV. The vehicle eventually leaves the area after the Worcester Police Department (WPD) arrived and declared the scene an unlawful assembly, and threatened arrests.
The city’s mayor, Joseph Petty, a Democrat, wrote on X, “I am disturbed to hear about today’s events involving ICE. As someone who prides themselves on leading a welcoming city, I am devastated to hear about the separation of a family, especially with Mother’s Day around the corner.”
He added, “The fear of ICE tearing a family apart is the worst nightmare of so many in our city. I have asked the city manager for a full report of the incident. We were not notified by ICE about the detainment. Simply put, we cannot have this happen in our community.”
WPD said that it responded to the area of Eureka Street around 11:13 a.m. “for a report of a federal agent who was surrounded by a large group of abut 25 people. We also received a call from someone saying that ICE officers were on scene and refusing to show a warrant to the crowd. Worcester Police officers responded to preserve the peace and prevent anyone from being injured.
However, when officers arrived, they observed a chaotic scene with several federal agents from various agencies attempting to take a female into custody.”
WPD added, “Federal agents had placed this female under arrest and were attempting to leave in a vehicle. The crowd was unruly, and several people were putting their hands on federal agents and Worcester officers in an attempt to keep the vehicle and the arrestee from leaving. Worcester officers attempted to deescalate the situation and keep everyone safe.”
WPD continued, “As the vehicle went to pull away, a juvenile female had a newborn baby in her arms and was standing in front of the car with the newborn. Officers told her that she was endangering the child and that she needed to move. Eventually she complied and gave the newborn to someone else. As the vehicle moved away, she ran after the vehicle and kicked the passenger’s side of it. It appeared that she was going to run in front of the moving vehicle, and officers took her into custody.”
That woman was arrested and has been charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disrupting the peace, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. The infant was unharmed.
Police said while they were taking her into custody, 38-year-old Ashley Spring “pushed multiple officers and threw an unknown liquid substance on them.” She was also arrested and has been charged with assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, and interfering with a police officer.
WPD said that the “chaotic incident is still under investigation” and further charges may be forthcoming. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) public affairs assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement:
“The target of this ICE operation was a violent criminal illegal alien, Ferreria de Oliveria. She was arrested by local police for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery on a pregnant victim. District Councilor for the City of Worcester Haxhiaj pulled a political stunt and incited chaos by trying to obstruct law enforcement. ICE officers and local police regained control of the situation and ICE arrested Ferreira de Oliveria. The previous administration’s open border policies, allowed this criminal to illegally enter our country in August of 2022. Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem this criminal is off our streets.”
