Republicans blame New Jersey sanctuary law after ICE suspect crashes into mayor's wife
A driver suspected of being an illegal immigrant fled an ICE stop on Route 130, hit a Tesla driven by Dr. Penelope Cohen, and injured her, prompting GOP lawmakers to criticize Governor Mikie Sherrill’s sanctuary policies.
During a targeted ICE enforcement operation in North Brunswick, officers tried to stop a driver they believed to be an illegal immigrant. The driver ignored commands, accelerated, and ran a red light, striking a Tesla owned by Dr. Penelope Cohen, the spouse of East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen. Penelope Cohen suffered a leg injury and was taken to a hospital.
After the crash, the suspect fled on foot but was apprehended shortly thereafter and charged with violating U.S. immigration law. Republican lawmakers Paul Kanitra and Mike Testa used the episode to condemn Governor Mikie Sherrill’s Immigrant Trust Directive, claiming the sanctuary policy creates chaos and emboldens illegal activity. They highlighted previous attempts by local counties to join ICE’s 287(g) cooperation program that were blocked by the state law. ICE confirmed the driver will stay in custody pending removal proceedings.
Why it matters
The incident fuels a partisan debate over New Jersey’s sanctuary policies and their impact on public safety.
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