ICE sets the record straight about immigration enforcement action in New Jersey
TRENTON, N.J. / March 3, 2026 — False reporting on a Feb. 20 immigration enforcement action in Trenton is spreading fear and confusion.
A post by U.S Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman falsely accusing ICE of “covering security cameras at a Trenton auto repair shop and detaining multiple individuals without a warrant” led to inaccurate reporting in local news and undermines public trust.
ICE did not lead this operation, cover cameras or raid an auto repair shop. The arrests were carried out by the agency’s federal partners acting on a court-ordered criminal warrant. The primary target who was arrested is Eduardo Reyes, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala wanted for aggravated assault, weapons offenses, assault by auto, leaving the scene of an accident and endangering the victim.
“Regrettably, some sanctuary politicians in New Jersey misrepresent ICE’s clear legal authority established by Congress, resorting to fearmongering and misinformation even after receiving the facts,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark acting Field Office Director Arthur J. Wilson Jr. “Our ICE officers and federal partners deserve recognition for their commitment to public safety, not baseless criticism. During the execution of the federal warrant, officers followed lawful procedure of notifying ICE about the individuals illegally present in the United States they encountered and arrested.”
Thanks to the coordination of our federal partners, the targeted criminal illegal alien and two other illegal aliens are being held accountable for immigration violations. ERO Newark immediately lodged an immigration detainer on Reyes and took the two others into custody: Cristian Moreno-Posso, an illegal alien from Colombia with a final order of removal issued in October 2024, and Jorge Luis Lemus Urliz, an illegal alien from Guatemala who entered the United States without inspection. Both are currently detained.
This deliberate misrepresentation of ICE enforcement actions as witnessed in this case is part of a coordinated campaign to incite violence and hatred against ICE personnel. As a result, ICE has experienced an 8,000% increase in death threats and a 1,421% increase in assaults against its officers.
Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, ICE is also expanding its operations. It has achieved a 120% increase in workforce and secured funding for additional detention centers. ICE remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the law and safeguard our communities.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)
