Worcester District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj Charged With Assault and Interfering During May 8 ICE Arrest of Immigrant Who Assaulted Pregnant Daughter

Etel Haxhiaj, a city councilor representing District 5 in Worcester, Massachusetts, has been charged with assault and battery on a police officer as well as interfering with law enforcement during a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation on May 8. The incident involved Haxhiaj physically blocking ICE agents from arresting an illegal immigrant who allegedly assaulted her pregnant teenage daughter. Bodycam footage captured the chaotic altercation, showing Haxhiaj obstructing the arrest and engaging with federal officers. The case has drawn attention due to the councilor's direct involvement in impeding the enforcement action against the suspect.