A newly public video captures the confrontation on a New Jersey boardwalk in which a Canadian woman accused of overstaying her visa allegedly slapped a teenage girl after approaching a group of friends wearing clothing with the words “Trump” and “ICE.” The woman was later placed in federal immigration custody.
The Department of Homeland Security posted the footage Thursday on X, referring to Kaitlyn Tracey as a “Maple Leaf Menace” and saying she is being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while removal proceedings move forward.
“This illegal alien who assaulted a teenager has no business being in our country,” DHS wrote in the post.
In the clip, a woman identified by officials as Tracey appears to walk up to the teen, extend her arm and strike her before continuing away from the scene.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson later told INC News that Tracey arrived in the United States on April 14, 2024, with a visa that expired on Sept. 6, 2024, and allegedly remained in the country beyond that date.
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A Canadian woman accused of overstaying her visa was taken into ICE custody after allegedly slapping a teen over pro-Trump and ICE clothing on a New Jersey boardwalk. (U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
“She overstayed her visa and failed to depart,” the spokesperson said, adding Tracey’s name to the “nearly 70% of ICE arrests” netting illegal immigrants who have been charged with or convicted of a crime.
According to DHS, the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department facilitated a controlled transfer into ICE custody following her arrest, where she will remain pending immigration proceedings.
A man identifying himself on social media as Tracey’s husband, Matthew Geroni, disputed the allegations in an interview with NJ.com, arguing the incident had been blown out of proportion after drawing widespread attention online.
“This whole situation has been blown out of proportion and a person like Kate does not belong in any facility,” Geroni told the outlet. “My wife has never been in trouble in her entire life. She’s never had any kind of situation like this. This one little situation that was really a nothingburger when it happened has been blown so out of control by conservatives online that it has caused my wife to be put in a detention center.”
According to the probable cause affidavit obtained by INC News, the victim told police she and three friends were walking along the boardwalk when Tracey began verbally berating the group over clothing they were wearing.
The affidavit states two of the victim’s friends were wearing patriotic-colored sweatpants displaying the words “Trump” and “ICE.” Investigators allege Tracey then approached the victim and struck her once in the face and once in the body.
Kaitlyn Tracey, 33, was arrested on assault and child endangerment charges after police say she slapped a teen for wearing patriotic and political clothing on the boardwalk at a popular beach resort town in New Jersey. (Getty: Bloomberg)
Officers attempted to stop Tracey, but she refused to identify herself and continued down the boardwalk, according to the affidavit.
Investigators later identified her through social media and passport information she provided when entering the United States from Canada in 2024.
Geroni also posted several emotional videos to social media after Tracey’s arrest, saying he was trying to find an immigration attorney and pleading for help.
“I need help. I don’t know what to do,” he said in one video. “I need an immigration lawyer… I need my wife.”
Geroni also said he created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Tracey’s legal defense and immigration costs before it was removed from the platform. Before it was taken down, the fundraiser said it had been organized by friends to help cover Tracey’s legal expenses and immigration-related costs.
In another video, Geroni claimed the campaign was removed after what he described as a coordinated mass-reporting campaign by a “Facebook group of MAGA supporters.”
Kaitlyn Tracey is now in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody pending removal proceedings. (Getty Images: DenisTangneyJr)
A GoFundMe spokesperson disputed that claim, telling INC News the fundraiser was removed because it violated the platform’s policies.
“GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes,” the spokesperson said. “Consistent with this long-standing policy, the fundraiser was removed from the platform and fully refunded.”
The case also drew reaction on Capitol Hill after DHS released the surveillance video Thursday.
“Oh, Canada. She’s headed back your way!” Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., wrote on X. “Thank you, @SecMullinDHS!”
Francis R. Hodgson, Tracey’s attorney, declined to comment when reached by INC News. Court records show Tracey is scheduled to appear in Ocean County Superior Court on Aug. 4.
