Car chase involving ICE leads to crash in Newark, New Jersey

Two teens and a child were hospitalized after the incident, sparking condemnation from the mayor

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A federal immigration investigation on Wednesday ended with a chaotic crash in Newark, New Jersey, officials say. Two 15-year-olds and a 12-year-old who were in one of the vehicles the fleeing driver struck were taken to a local hospital for complaints of pain. The driver who fled was also taken to a local hospital with unspecified injuries. Newark's mayor condemned the incident, saying ICE agents recklessly put innocent people in harm's way.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement, with the mayor accusing ICE of violating local laws and recklessly endangering the public. It also raises questions about the appropriate use of force and pursuit tactics by federal agents in densely populated urban areas.

The details

According to city officials, ICE agents tried to pull over a van just before 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, but the driver took off. ICE pursued, and the fleeing driver crashed into two vehicles at the intersection of Shanley and Clinton avenues. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the driver is in the country illegally and had previously been charged with receiving stolen property, and claimed he rammed his vehicle into federal law enforcement vehicles during the pursuit.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 26, 2026 around 8:30 a.m.

The players

Ras J. Baraka

The mayor of Newark, New Jersey, who condemned the ICE agents' actions and signed an executive order restricting their use of city resources.

Kenyatta Stewart

The Newark Corporation Counsel, who discussed the mayor's executive order restricting ICE agents' access to city buildings and resources.

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What they’re saying

“Federal authorities should adhere to local laws regarding vehicle pursuits and exercise common sense. Based on the damage they are inflicting on our communities, ICE has no business engaging in chases at anytime, anywhere — but especially in densely populated areas, and on roads still being cleared from a significant snowstorm. ICE cannot come into our city and recklessly put innocent people in harm's way while they try to apprehend their targets.”

— Ras J. Baraka, Mayor of Newark (Newark City Hall)

“You may have folks who, you know, residents who live in the city who are trying to pay their taxes or trying to pay their water or sewer bills, and things of that nature, who will be afraid to come into our buildings because they're afraid that ICE is in here and waiting for them.”

— Kenyatta Stewart, Newark Corporation Counsel (Newark City Hall)

What’s next

Newark's mayor has signed an executive order restricting ICE agents' use of city property, facilities, and resources for immigration enforcement actions. The order went into effect immediately.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement, with the mayor accusing ICE of violating local laws and recklessly endangering the public. It raises questions about the appropriate use of force and pursuit tactics by federal agents in densely populated urban areas, and the mayor's executive order aims to limit ICE's ability to operate within the city.