A Canadian woman has been detained by ICE after slapping a teenager wearing clothing branded with President Trump’s name, according to a report.
Kaitlyn E. Tracey, 33, allegedly approached the teenager and three of her friends on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, on July 3. According to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by NJ.com, Tracey allegedly yelled at two members of the group who were wearing “patriotic colored” sweatpants.
The unnamed teenager was wearing sweatpants emblazoned with the words “TRUMP” and “ICE.”
Then, Tracey slapped the teenager across her face and body, according to the report. The teenager was not injured during the encounter, court records obtained by the outlet say.
Police told NJ.com that the encounter was recorded by surveillance cameras.
Initially, the 33-year-old fled from the scene but was arrested on Monday. She has been charged with simple assault, harassment, obstruction and endangering the welfare of a child, police say.
Court records reviewed by NJ.com describe Tracey as having entered the U.S with a passport in 2024. She resides in Asbury Park, New Jersey, the papers state.
Matthew Geroni, who identified himself in a TikTok video as Tracey’s husband, said that his wife had been initially detained at an Ocean County jail.
“ICE is coming there to pick her up,” he said, before lamenting: “I don’t know what to do.”
“I gotta figure something out,” he added. “I gotta save her.”
In a follow-up video, Geroni claimed that ICE had transferred Tracey to the infamous Delaney Hall facility on July 13.
According to Geroni, the couple tied the knot more than three years ago. While Tracey is Canadian, Geroni holds U.S. citizenship. The husband continued his video by saying that he is seeking to secure her release, even if that means she will be sent to Canada.
“I don’t care what your opinions are of me or the situation,” he said, adding that the only thing that matters to him is his wife’s safety and well-being.
Geroni told the Asbury Park Press that he last saw his wife Monday morning when she turned herself into police. He also confirmed that he plans to hire an immigration attorney.
Tracey’s defense attorney, Francis R. Hodgson, told the publication that an order had been given Monday for her release from the Ocean County facility. Since ICE had a detainer on her, she was released to their custody.
Hodgson added that Tracey’s next court appearance is slated to be an early disposition conference set for August 4.
The Independent has contacted Hodgson, Geroni and ICE for comment.
