Key prosecutor warns anti-ICE riots, violence is ‘significant public safety risk’
For years under Joe Biden, illegal aliens could enter the United States, even commit further crimes, with essentially no accountability. They often were given court dates, at which they didn’t appear, and sent on their way.
Now, under President Donald Trump, criminal aliens are being tracked down, arrested, and deported.
And that has been causing near-riots when those arrests happen, a circumstance that a key federal prosecutor warns is a “significant public and officer safety risk.”
Leah Foley, the U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts, made the comments after a video of a crowd reacting to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Worcester.
Those “disturbing” people obstructing ICE, and interfering in its law enforcement efforts, should be arrested, she said.
“The interference with ICE operations around Massachusetts has been disturbing, to say the least. This conduct poses significant public and officer safety risks. It is conduct that should be vilified rather than glorified,” Foley explained.
“I will not stand idly by if any public official, public safety officer, organization or private citizen acts in a manner that criminally obstructs or impedes ICE operations. The United States Attorney’s Office, along with our federal partners, will investigate any violations of federal law and pursue charges that are warranted by such activity.”
The video triggering the concern showed a mob of some 25 people creating what police called a “chaotic incident.”
“District Councilor for the City of Worcester [Etel] 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 Oliveira,” said Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security assistant secretary. “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.”
Oliveira was described by authorities as a “violent criminal alien” who was arrested for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a pregnant woman.
The mob in the video, however, was shouting “No warrant!” and “Don’t take the mother!”
They also tried physically to block the vehicle, and were screaming at officers.
The incident developed into a “shoving” match at one point, but it was de-escalated after the suspect was removed from the scene.