ICE Used Women’s Children & Grandchild As Bait To Arrest Her

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 40-year-old Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira in Worcester, Massachusetts, under controversial circumstances that sparked community outrage and ongoing protests. According to multiple sources, ICE agents used Ferreira-De Oliveira’s daughters and grandchild as “bait” to draw her out of her home, where agents couldn’t legally arrest her, and onto Eureka Street. Rolling Stone reports that ICE stopped Ferreira-De Oliveira’s 21-year-old daughter Augusta Clara, her three-month-old baby, and 17-year-old sister as they were leaving their home. The agents allegedly threatened to arrest Clara, insisting that her mother come to take custody of the baby, creating a situation that coerced Ferreira-De Oliveira into leaving the safety of her residence. Once she arrived, ICE arrested her, though they did not detain her daughters.

Clara later confirmed parts of this account in a message shared by her attorney, stating, “Everything started the day before when they arrested my partner… Later that morning, ICE agents… also [told] me to show up the next day to sign some documents at an immigration building.” She added, “I am currently staying with friends, as I am too afraid to return home. I am unable to retrieve any of mine and my baby’s things and I am unable to work because of my current predicament.”

Local police were also involved, with Worcester officers attempting to control a crowd of protesters trying to prevent the arrest. Video captured by Telemundo shows officers forcefully pushing bystanders and slamming Ferreira-De Oliveira’s teenage daughter to the ground. Two people, including the 17-year-old and a 38-year-old school board candidate, were arrested during the incident. The Massachusetts attorney general’s office is now investigating possible violations of state law, which prohibits local police from assisting ICE. Attorney Andrew Lattarulo said he provided the AG’s office with information indicating that “local law enforcement and state police [are] violating state law by assisting ICE.”

The family remains in shock, with sources describing the impact as “traumatizing,” and the community continues to demand accountability through ongoing protests.

Link: RollingStone