Etel Haxhiaj, a two-term city councilwoman in Worcester, Massachusetts, faced a contentious re-election campaign after intervening in a federal immigration enforcement action in her district. The incident, which involved a confrontation between residents, city police, and federal agents, led to criminal charges against Haxhiaj and ignited fierce debate in the city. Her actions drew both passionate support and intense backlash, with some praising her defense of an immigrant family and others criticizing her for escalating tensions and neglecting local issues.

The controversy highlighted deeper divisions in Worcester, a city with a growing progressive movement but also strong moderate and law-and-order sentiments. Haxhiaj's advocacy for racial justice and policing reforms had already made her a polarizing figure. On Election Day, voters weighed her record and the fallout from the immigration incident, ultimately choosing her opponent, José Rivera, by a narrow margin. Haxhiaj reflected on the loss as both a setback and an opportunity to continue her activism outside elected office, while Rivera pledged to focus on practical city concerns and unite the community.