A Canadian woman accused of assaulting a teenage girl over clothing displaying support for President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is now being held in federal immigration custody after her arrest in New Jersey.
Kaitlyn E. Tracey, 33, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being charged in connection with an alleged July 3 assault on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk, according to local police and ICE records.
According to NJ.com, Tracey allegedly “slapped the victim across her face and body” after confronting a group of teenage girls wearing patriotic-colored sweatpants bearing the words “Trump” and “ICE.”
Police say the confrontation began when Tracey approached the teens while recording them on her cellphone. Investigators allege she took issue with the group’s “patriotic colored sweatpants with political wording,” according to charging documents.
The Point Pleasant Beach Police Department said the incident occurred on the evening of July 3, at the start of the Independence Day holiday weekend.
Authorities said surveillance video showed Tracey allegedly “striking the juvenile female, once to the body and once to the face, with an open hand,” before fleeing the area. The victim was reportedly not seriously injured.
Investigators later identified Tracey using surveillance footage, social media and federal entry records before obtaining an arrest warrant. She was taken into custody on July 13.
Police have charged Tracey with endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, harassment and obstruction.
According to NJ.com, Tracey is a Canadian citizen who entered the United States in 2024 using a Canadian passport and had been living in Monmouth County with her husband.
On Tuesday, a man identifying himself as Tracey’s husband posted an emotional video on social media revealing that ICE had detained her.
“Yesterday, July 13, my wife was detained by ICE and brought to Delaney Hall in North New Jersey,” he said.
A search of ICE’s online detainee locator confirms Tracey is being held at the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark. Fox News Digital has reached out to ICE for comment.
In his video, Tracey’s husband argued that the incident has been mischaracterized and said he hopes to secure her release, even if it results in her returning to Canada. He also said an online fundraiser created to help pay for legal expenses was removed after receiving widespread reports from other users.
Tracey is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 4 to face the criminal charges stemming from the alleged assault.
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