Calls for Policy Change After Tragic Accident in New Jersey
The mayor of Jackson Township, New Jersey, where a tragic incident occurred recently, believes the state’s sanctuary policies need to be reconsidered. A baby boy lost his life after an illegal immigrant reportedly struck the child’s family with her car in a grocery store parking lot.
Mayor Jennifer Kuhn expressed her concerns, stating in an interview that, “If our police pull somebody over and they’re undocumented, they can’t call federal agencies. They can’t call ICE. That needs to change.” She emphasized that expressions of sorrow aren’t sufficient; decisive action is required from leadership to prevent similar events in the future.
The incident took place on August 28 when 20-year-old Maria Cobon-Guzman, a Guatemalan national without a driver’s license, collided with a mother pushing a stroller containing her 9-month-old son and 5-year-old daughter. The baby died, while the mother and daughter sustained severe injuries.
Kuhn argues that such accidents highlight the urgent need to rethink New Jersey’s policies that, often, restrict collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials.
In the wake of the accident, Cobon-Guzman has been charged with manslaughter. Additionally, another individual, Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, is facing charges for allegedly allowing Cobon-Guzman to drive her vehicle despite her lack of a license. Lazaro-Flores is also an undocumented immigrant.
Both women reportedly entered the U.S. illegally during the Biden administration, with Lazaro-Flores having multiple removals but returning to the country. Cobon-Guzman, on the other hand, entered once but was released into the U.S. interior without adequate vetting, even after an immigration judge issued a removal order against her.
Kuhn’s main critique centers on New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive, a policy enacted under former Governor Phil Murphy in 2018. This directive generally prohibits local police from inquiring about a person’s immigration status, notifying ICE upon someone’s release from custody, or sharing private information related to immigration enforcement.
The current governor, Mikie Sherrill, has further codified these measures into state law. She signed legislation which expanded the protections for undocumented individuals, including an executive order limiting ICE’s operations on state property without a warrant.
Kuhn is advocating for her town’s council to pass a resolution aimed at abolishing these state policies. “I know there are other towns around Ocean County doing the same,” she noted. “Something needs to change.”
Supporters of the sanctuary policies argue they are essential for fostering trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, encouraging individuals to report crimes without fear of deportation.
Dan Prochilo, a spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office, defended the Immigrant Trust Directive, stating that law enforcement can still notify ICE in cases involving serious crimes or certain convictions.
As discussions continue, tensions remain high, and the push for a reevaluation of these policies persists. There’s a sense that this incident may serve as a catalyst for deeper changes in New Jersey’s immigration and law enforcement practices.
