The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a strong plea to New Jersey’s “sanctuary politicians” to prevent the release of a criminal illegal migrant who has been detained following allegations of sexual assault against a minor. This case has sparked a debate over sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

On March 2, Gerardo Garcia Gonzalez, a Mexican national who entered the United States illegally, was arrested by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office in New Jersey. The charges include the alleged sexual assault of a victim aged between 13 and 15, along with criminal sexual contact and sexual assault by force or coercion. In response, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer on Gonzalez, seeking to take him into their custody.

Lauren Bis, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of DHS, expressed strong condemnation of the situation, emphasizing that “this pedophile should NEVER have been in our country and able to prey on children in the first place.” She urged New Jersey’s sanctuary policymakers not to release Gonzalez, who is charged with a serious crime, back into the community.

“This is precisely why we need sanctuary jurisdictions to collaborate with us,” Bis further stated, implying that public safety should be a priority and expressing concern about the potential risk if such individuals remain on the streets. The case underscores the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local sanctuary policies.

According to DHS, Gonzalez initially entered the U.S. illegally in 2001 and was subsequently deported to Mexico. Nonetheless, he managed to return to the U.S. by crossing the border again at an unspecified location and date, highlighting challenges in border security and enforcement.

However, Gonzalez made his way back to the US again after illegally crossing the border at an unknown  location and on an unknown date, the department said. 

DHS noted that Garden State pols have lately been promoting policies “designed to demonize” ICE agents. 

New Jersey Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill unveiled plans in January to launch a state website that critics contend will dox ICE agents. 

The site allows ICE observers to alert state officials to federal immigration enforcement activities, including by uploading photos and videos. The state Attorney General’s Office will use the information to track where ICE officers are making arrests.

“If you see an ICE agent in the street, get your phone out,” Sherrill said in an interview with “The Daily Show” host Desi Lydic days after being sworn-in as governor. 

The governor has also inked an executive order attempting to block the federal agents from accessing jails, government offices, residential medical facilities, courthouses, public schools, social service offices and child care centers for immigration enforcement purposes.

The Trump administration has sued the state over the order, likening it to obstruction of law enforcement. 

Last month, Democrats in the state legislature also proposed the F**K ICE Act, a bill that would allow residents to sue federal immigration agents.

DHS noted that the bill was put forward at a time when there has been a “1,300% increase in assaults and 8,000% increase in death threats” against ICE officers.