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CBS News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Body camera video shows Worcester police respond to "chaotic" ICE operation
Worcester police have released body camera video of what officers encountered when they were called to an ICE operation on Eureka Street last week. A large crowd tried to stop ICE agents from taking a woman into custody. In the video released Friday, people in the crowd demanded to see a warrant from the federal agents. The videos were uploaded to the city's YouTube page. The videos contain more than 550 minutes of footage from the incident on May 8. Image from Worcester police officer's body camera from the ICE operation on Eureka Street on May 8. Worcester Police Officers are seen trying to get people away from the vehicle that had a woman inside who was already detained by ICE. Worcester police said they were called for crowd control. Officers ended up arresting a woman and a teenager. The Worcester Police Department is now requesting that the court dismiss the case against the teen who was arrested. Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said the videos were released to, "illustrate the chaotic nature of the situation as experienced by the officers who had to make rapid, critical decisions in the moment to ensure the safety of everyone on the scene." Executive Order on immigration laws Also on Friday, Worcester City Manager Eric Batista issued an Executive Order that established guidelines for local response and involvement in federal enforcement of immigration laws and operations. The order states that city workers and officers should not inquire, or initiate investigations based on immigration status. The city said municipal employees should not participate in a federal agency's operation on immigration laws, "except in response to a request to assist with support services deemed necessary to ensure officer safety; to ensure public safety; to prevent a breach of the peace." Earlier this week, Worcester City Hall was closed as dozens of people protested against ICE.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Time of India
Watch: ICE agents drag mother away from baby during violent arrest
A new video from Worcester, Massachusetts, has captured the violent arrest of a teenage girl by immigration officers, showing her face being slammed into the ground during a neighbourhood raid that has sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of ICE operations. The footage, filmed by witnesses and shared online, shows chaos erupting as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempted to detain a Brazilian woman who was with her newborn and teenage daughter. The dramatic events unfolded on Eureka Street late Thursday morning, as a crowd of about 25 residents formed a human barrier around the family in an attempt to block the arrest. Chants of 'Don't take the mother!' and 'They don't have a warrant!' rang out, with community members demanding to see official documentation from the agents. Operation Sindoor India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan India-Pakistan tensions: Delhi airport issues travel advisory Operation Sindoor: Multiple explosions heard at several Pakistan air bases According to several onlookers, the ICE officers claimed they didn't need to present a warrant, fuelling further unrest. By the time local police arrived, the mother had already been placed in an ICE vehicle. As tensions escalated, the woman's 16-year-old daughter still holding her baby sibling stood in front of the vehicle in a desperate effort to stop it from leaving. She eventually handed the infant to a bystander before kicking the SUV. Police allege the girl attempted to jump in front of the vehicle. Moments later, officers tackled her to the ground. NBC Boston footage shows her being restrained with her face slammed into the pavement as she screamed. She was arrested on multiple charges including child endangerment and resisting arrest. The infant was unharmed. Another woman, Ashley Spring a candidate for the local school committee was also arrested after allegedly pushing officers and throwing an unknown liquid at them. She faces assault and disorderly conduct charges. City officials have since denounced the operation. City Manager Eric Batista described the incident as 'harrowing,' while Mayor Joseph Petty called it 'devastating' and said ICE had not informed city officials in advance. 'The fear of ICE tearing a family apart is the worst nightmare of so many in our city,' Petty said. Worcester police maintain they were attempting to de-escalate the situation, but local leaders and immigrant rights advocates are demanding an investigation into both ICE and police conduct.
