New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is facing fierce Republican criticism over the state’s immigration policies after an ICE enforcement stop turned into a high-speed crash that injured a mayor’s wife.
Republican Assemblyman Paul Kanitra, 47, who represents Point Pleasant Beach, laid the blame squarely on Democratic leadership and the state’s sanctuary protections. “This is just the latest in a long line of traffic incidents and vehicular incidents that wouldn’t occur if New Jersey didn’t have our sanctuary status that got codified as soon as Gov. Sherrill came into office,” Kanitra said.
“We all fought against it. We told them that this would create chaos, and it seems like Democrats are unable to take accountability for their own actions,” the lawmaker added.
The Sept. 2 incident unfolded on Route 130 in North Brunswick when ICE officers targeted the driver of an Acura during a planned enforcement operation. The man, whom ICE described as an illegal immigrant, refused repeated orders to exit his vehicle, according to the agency’s account.
ICE officers then attempted to physically remove him due to safety concerns, but the driver accelerated away at high speed. He ran a red light and slammed into a Tesla driven by Dr. Penelope Cohen, wife of East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen, local reports indicated.
Penelope Cohen sustained a leg injury and was transported to a hospital for treatment, News 12 New Jersey reported. The Acura driver abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot before ICE officers caught and arrested him shortly after the collision.
ICE confirmed in a statement that the man was arrested for violating U.S. Immigration law and would remain in custody pending removal proceedings. Authorities have not publicly identified the driver.
Kanitra continued his attack on Democratic handling of immigration enforcement. “Democrats seemingly have an inability to take accountability for their own actions here. They’re unable to even recognize the chaos that they’re creating, and they’re shouting and screaming at everybody else trying to find somebody to blame. It’s somewhat ridiculous,” he told Fox.
“You kind of reap what you sow,” Kanitra added.
Republican state Sen. Mike Testa joined the criticism, focusing on restrictions blocking local police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Testa noted that Cape May and Monmouth counties had previously sought unsuccessfully to participate in ICE’s 287(g) interagency cooperation program.
“I think it has only emboldened illegal aliens to engage in illegal behavior,” Testa told Fox. “This illegal alien was stopped lawfully by federal authorities, ran through a red light, fleeing federal authorities and unfortunately ran into the mayor of East Brunswick’s wife.”
Sherrill, who took office in January, signed legislation March 25 formally codifying New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive. The policy generally prevents state and local police from stopping, questioning, arresting, searching or detaining individuals based solely on immigration status. It also restricts voluntary local participation in federal civil immigration operations.
The directive maintains exceptions allowing officers to enforce state criminal laws, comply with valid judicial warrants and court orders, and cooperate in specified cases involving serious offenders. What began as an ICE vehicle stop on a busy Middlesex County roadway ended with an injured motorist, a hospitalized mayor’s wife, and renewed political warfare over how New Jersey handles immigration enforcement.
ICE, Sherrill, Brad Cohen and Dr. Penelope Cohen did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the outlet.
Sherrill is scheduled to deliver her first State of the State address in Trenton this January.