A Trenton, New Jersey, auto repair shop became the center of controversy after initial reports falsely claimed that ICE officers covered surveillance cameras then abducted three men, using aggressive tactics during an operation on Feb. 20.
I’ve been briefed on reports of ICE agents covering security cameras at a Trenton auto repair shop and detaining multiple individuals without a warrant. My office is monitoring the situation and will responding accordingly as more information becomes available.
— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) February 20, 2026
U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., whose district includes Trenton, took to social media to immediately alert the community about the incident at Agudo’s Repair Shop.
“I’ve been briefed on reports of ICE agents covering security cameras at a Trenton auto repair shop and detaining multiple individuals without a warrant,” Watson Coleman said in a post shared on X. “My office is monitoring the situation and will respond accordingly as more information becomes available.”
It didn't end there. Bonnie Watson Coleman went further, declaring, “While we need to defund ICE, we need to deconstruct Homeland Security.”
That’s abolitionist rhetoric aimed at dismantling Department of Homeland Security, the cabinet-level agency responsible for immigration… pic.twitter.com/OYUJtZRu8M
— Stu Smith (@thestustustudio) February 25, 2026
The statement fueled media coverage, with local outlets repeating Watson-Coleman’s false claims of warrantless detentions and obscured surveillance after three individuals were taken into custody. The coverage created a frenzy, prompting everything from calls by immigrant rights groups to investigate ICE, to recently introduced legislation in the state of New Jersey titled the “F&cK ICE Act.”
After the lawmaker was given the opportunity to correct the record, ICE issued a release on March 3, clarifying the facts and blasting sanctuary politicians for fearmongering and spreading falsehoods.
New Jersey Democrats Rob Menendez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver call to ABOLISH ICE.
ICE officers have helped deport over 600,000 criminal illegals.
Democrats are protecting criminals. pic.twitter.com/BZbB4yJnlR
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 3, 2026
The agency stated that ICE did not lead the operation, did not cover security cameras, and did not conduct a raid on the auto repair shop at all.
Instead, the arrests were led by the U.S. Marshals Service, who executed arrests pursuant to a court-ordered criminal warrant targeting Eduardo Reyes, a Guatemalan national wanted on charges including aggravated assault, weapons offenses, assault by auto, leaving the scene of an accident, and endangering the victim.
Two additional individuals, Cristian Moreno-Posso from Colombia and Jorge Luis Lemus Urliz from Guatemala, were also arrested. Both men, in the country illegally, were arrested in association with the case but found to have also had outstanding orders of removal. ICE lodged detainers and is now holding all three men pending removal proceedings.
ICE criticized the initial portrayal, noting that false reporting “is spreading fear and confusion” and undermines public trust.
“Regrettably, some sanctuary politicians in New Jersey misrepresent ICE’s clear legal authority established by Congress, resorting to fearmongering and misinformation even after receiving the facts,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark acting Field Office Director Arthur J. Wilson Jr.
As of March 5, Watson Coleman has not issued a retraction, apology, or updated to her original statement.
