Crowd clashes with ICE in attempt to stop arrest in Massachusetts

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest in Worcester, Massachusetts, erupted into chaos on Friday when a crowd of bystanders attempted to block federal agents from detaining a woman.

Footage from the incident shows the group chanting “Don’t take the mother!” and “No warrant!” as ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents led the woman into an SUV. Several bystanders put their hands on the vehicle in an effort to prevent it from leaving, while screaming in protest. Tensions escalated when a CBP agent got into a physical altercation with a bystander while trying to move her away from the SUV.

The vehicle eventually departed after the Worcester Police Department declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and warned that arrests would follow if people did not leave.

“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," Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said in a post on X. "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.”

According to a report by Fox News, Worcester police said it received a call at around 11:13 am reporting that a federal agent had been surrounded by a crowd of about 25 people after refusing to show a warrant to the crowd.

"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," police said. When officers arrived, “they observed a chaotic scene with several federal agents from various agencies attempting to take a female into custody.”

"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," the department continued.

At one point, police said a juvenile female holding a newborn baby stood in front of the SUV, refusing to move. Officers warned her that she was endangering the child. After handing the infant to another person, the girl allegedly ran after the vehicle, kicked the passenger side, and appeared to try to jump in front of it. Officers took her into custody.