Etel Haxhia, Albanian Advocate Found Guilty: Risks Her American Status

Worcester City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj: From Albanian Refugee to Progressive Advocate and Controversial Figure in Immigration Politics

By SyndicatedNews | SNN.BZ

Etel Haxhiaj, a former District 5 Worcester City Councilor, rose from immigrant roots to become a vocal progressive voice in one of Massachusetts’ largest cities. Her tenure ended amid controversy following a high-profile confrontation during a federal immigration enforcement action, culminating in a 2026 misdemeanor conviction.

Early Life and Path to Public Service

Haxhiaj was born in Albania and arrived in Worcester in 2001 as a young adult with her family, fleeing political unrest. Instead of continuing to build her professional life she instead chose to assume the role of Albanian advocate and fight with members of Homeland Security as well as local police officers. She graduated from Clark University (undergraduate in 2004, master’s in 2008) and built a career focused on community organizing, youth mentoring, housing advocacy, and social work. Unfortunately, all the education you gain in the USA doesn’t matter if you choose to go into politics to fight American laws. She could easily lose her green card.

Prior to elected office, she worked as a community organizer with groups like Mothers Out Front Massachusetts, served consumers in the Attorney General’s office, supported families in public housing and homeless shelters, and co-founded initiatives such as the YWCA’s Racial Justice Task Force and the Worcester chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ).

In 2021, Haxhiaj made history alongside Thu Nguyen as one of the first refugees elected to the Worcester City Council, representing District 5. She won re-election in 2023 but lost her seat in November 2025 to challenger José Antonio Rivera (52.5% to 47.5%).

Her platform emphasized affordable housing as a right, climate justice, police accountability, and immigrant protections. She positioned herself as a fierce advocate for constituents, particularly in a diverse district facing economic pressures.

The Eureka Street Incident (May 8, 2025)

Haxhiaj’s tenure drew intense scrutiny after a chaotic scene on Eureka Street. ICE agents arrested Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira, a 40-year-old Brazilian woman. A crowd of neighbors and activists gathered, with protests focusing on the detention of a mother and questions about warrants.

Body camera footage showed Haxhiaj at the scene, interacting with officers and federal agents as tensions escalated. Worcester police responded to calls about crowd concerns for officer safety. Haxhiaj was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery on a Worcester police officer (Officer Shauna McGuirk) and interfering with police.

Prosecutors alleged physical contact during the confrontation; Haxhiaj maintained she was creating distance to protect constituents, especially the arrested woman’s teenage daughter, and denied intentional assault.

The incident sparked debate: supporters viewed her actions as legitimate constituent advocacy and resistance to aggressive immigration enforcement; critics, including the Worcester Police Patrol Officers’ Union, accused her of inciting the crowd and assaulting officers.

Trial, Conviction, and Aftermath (February 2026)

In a two-day trial in Worcester District Court, a jury found Haxhiaj guilty of assault and battery on a police officer but not guilty of interfering with law enforcement. Judge Zachary Hillman sentenced her to six months of probation and 40 hours of community service.

Haxhiaj maintained her innocence, stating she chose “the truth” over a plea deal requiring an apology. In a post-verdict statement, she criticized the justice system, called for a civilian review board with subpoena powers, and reiterated her commitment to protecting residents from what she described as federal overreach.

She has indicated plans to consider an appeal. The conviction came shortly after her electoral defeat, which some attributed partly to the pending charges and broader voter priorities like housing costs over immigration stances.

Legacy and Ongoing Influence

Haxhiaj remains active on social media (@etel_haxhiaj on Instagram), where she continues advocating for progressive causes, including “Abolish ICE” messaging and housing rights. While her council tenure ended, her story highlights tensions in Worcester and nationally over immigration enforcement, local elected officials’ roles, police interactions, and constituent advocacy in diverse communities.

Whether viewed as a principled defender of immigrant families or an elected official who crossed lines into obstruction, Etel Haxhiaj’s career underscores the passionate divides in American local politics today. Her journey from refugee to councilor to convicted advocate reflects broader debates about sanctuary policies, public safety, and accountability.

While everything Haxhiaj is accused of occurred after she became a naturalized, citizen, anyone not interested in the United States policy is under no obligation to live in the USA. She now has eyeballs on her.