An undocumented immigrant facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl in New Jersey could soon be released, according to warnings from federal immigration authorities to local officials.
Gerardo Garcia Gonzalez, originally from Mexico, was apprehended by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office. He faces multiple charges, including sexual assault and criminal sexual contact involving a minor aged between 13 and 15.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported that Gonzalez entered the U.S. unlawfully in 2001, was deported back to Mexico, and then reentered the country at an unspecified later date.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Biss remarked, “This pedophile should never have been allowed in our country or to prey on children in the first place. We’re urging New Jersey’s sanctuary leaders not to let this predator with charges of child sexual assault back into the community.”
Biss emphasized the need for cooperation from sanctuary jurisdictions, stating, “No one wants this kind of individual on our streets.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has requested that Gonzalez not be released due to the state’s sanctuary policy.
DHS mentioned that its request stems from proposed legislation and executive orders from New Jersey politicians, suggesting these are aimed at undermining the work of ICE agents.
Recently, two Democratic state lawmakers introduced a bill called the F—ICE Act, or the Combatting Illegal Practices and Empowering Individuals and Communities Act, which would allow civil lawsuits for alleged breaches of the U.S. Constitution related to immigration enforcement.
This bill follows an incident where a Democratic Socialist lawmaker confronted federal agents during an attack on the Hudson Bergen Light Rail, allegedly remarking about the lack of need for a warrant.
Biss criticized this bill as “abhorrent,” arguing it is intended to vilify law enforcement officers who face increasing threats and violence.
Shortly after her inauguration, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill enacted Executive Order 12, restricting ICE’s operations on federal lands and establishing a system for residents to report immigration activities.
Recently, the Justice Department initiated a lawsuit against New Jersey and Sherrill, claiming the state is deepening its sanctuary policies and obstructing federal immigration enforcement. This push comes amid reports of a surge in violence against enforcement officers, with a striking rise in assaults and threats against them.
