A tense immigration standoff in Worcester escalated into chaos Thursday morning, leaving a teenage girl and a local political candidate under arrest after neighbors tried to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from detaining a local mother without a warrant.
According to community advocates, ICE agents showed up for the second time this week at a home near Eureka Street, targeting an immigrant family. The father had already been detained by ICE on Wednesday. On Thursday around 7 a.m., agents returned and detained the mother while she was with her two children — a 16-year-old girl and a 1-year-old infant.
Witnesses say no warrant was presented.
The LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts, which monitors ICE activity in the state, said the arrest was unwarranted and traumatic. Worcester residents quickly flooded the scene, many forming a “human ring” around the family in an attempt to stop the detainment.
Among them was Worcester City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj.
“As an elected official, it is my obligation to stand up for my constituents,” Haxhiaj said in a statement. “The way immigrants in Worcester and across the Commonwealth are being targeted and terrorized by this federal administration for deportation is absolutely unconstitutional.”
By mid-morning, the situation had escalated. According to Worcester police, around 25 residents had surrounded federal agents. One person reportedly called authorities to say ICE agents refused to show a warrant. Another called in concerns about growing tension between the agents and the crowd.
Police said they were called to preserve public safety. But within minutes, things turned physical.
As ICE agents prepared to drive away with the detained woman, the teen daughter — holding the 1-year-old — reportedly stood in front of the vehicle in protest. She handed the infant to another person, then ran after the car, kicked its passenger side, and, police claim, appeared as if she might run in front of the moving vehicle.
Police arrested the 16-year-old on multiple charges, including reckless endangerment of a child, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.
In video clips posted to social media, the girl can be seen screaming as several officers pin her down. The scene becomes more chaotic as others rush toward the officers. In one video, a woman pushes police as they struggle to restrain the teen. Moments later, that woman is thrown into a yard and cuffed.
She was later identified as Ashley Spring, 38, a current candidate for the Worcester School Committee. Police say Spring allegedly threw an unknown liquid on officers and shoved multiple officers during the altercation.
She faces several charges: assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (the liquid), disorderly conduct, and interfering with an arrest.
LUCE said the infant was not harmed and remains with a relative. The organization, which runs a rapid-response hotline for ICE sightings, has condemned the arrests and accused ICE of “operating outside the law and traumatizing entire communities.”
City leaders were quick to respond.
Worcester City Manager Eric Batista emphasized that while the city does not assist ICE with civil detainments, it is legally prohibited from interfering.
“The footage of a family being separated is harrowing,” Batista said. “My heart goes out to all those impacted by today’s events and the growing tension we all feel due to the national political climate.”
Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty echoed the concern.
“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,” he said. “The fear of ICE tearing a family apart is the worst nightmare of so many in our city.”
According to the U.S. Census, nearly 25% of Worcester’s population is foreign-born. Local advocacy groups say ICE actions like these drive fear into entire communities, particularly when children are involved.
As of Friday morning, the mother remains in ICE custody. The teen is reportedly being held in juvenile detention pending a court appearance. Ashley Spring’s campaign has not yet issued a statement.
