Jackson Mayor calls for end to NJ sanctuary policies after fatal crash

The death of a 9-month-old boy in a Jackson Township parking lot crash has sparked a political debate regarding New Jersey’s sanctuary policies. Mayor Jennifer Kuhn is urging the Township Council to formally condemn state restrictions that limit cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities.

The incident occurred on August 28 when 20-year-old Maria CobonGuzman, who did not have a valid driver's license, reportedly struck a mother and her two children after mistakenly hitting the accelerator instead of the brake. The infant died, and his mother and 5-year-old sister sustained injuries. CobonGuzman faces charges including manslaughter and assault by auto, while 22-year-old Ariadna Lazaro-Flores is accused of knowingly allowing the unlicensed driver to operate the vehicle.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged detainers against both defendants. The situation has intensified calls from Republican officials for New Jersey to honor federal detainers and reconsider its current immigration enforcement policies.