The top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts is warning of arrests for those who hinder ICE operations, labeling recent disruptions in her state as “disturbing.”
The notice from Leah Foley, the U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts, follows a video showing a crowd’s reaction to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Worcester.
“The obstruction of ICE operations throughout Massachusetts has been troubling, to say the least. This behavior presents substantial risks to public and officer safety. It is behavior that should be condemned rather than celebrated,” Foley stated.
“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,” she added.
A crowd of people gathers around an SUV in Worcester during an ICE operation on May 8. (@iwontstealthemooniswear_ via Storyful)
DHS went on to describe Oliveira as a “violent criminal alien.” The agency said she was arrested by local police for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a pregnant woman.
The video showed a group of 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 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, a CBP agent and a female bystander, left, start shoving each other as he tries to move her away from the SUV in Worcester on May 8 during an ICE operation. (@iwontstealthemooniswear_ via Storyful)
At one point, a CBP agent and a bystander start shoving each other as he tried to move her away from the SUV. The vehicle eventually left the area after the Worcester Police Department arrived and declared the scene an unlawful assembly, threatening arrests.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner and Madeleine Rivera contributed to this report.
