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Newly released video shows the moment a Canadian woman accused of overstaying her visa allegedly slapped a teenage girl after meeting a group of her friends wearing “Trump” and “ICE” clothing on a New Jersey sidewalk before she was later taken into federal custody.
The Department of Homeland Security shared the video on Thursday in the X post, calling Kaitlyn Tracey the “Maple Leaf Menace” and confirming that she is now in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement pending removal proceedings.
“This illegal alien who assaulted a teenager has no business in our country,” DHS wrote.
The video appears to show Tracey approaching the girl, reaching out and hitting her before walking away without stopping.
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A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security later told Fox News Digital that Tracey entered the United States on April 14, 2024, on a visa that expired on September 6, 2024, but remained in the country after it expired.
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A Canadian woman accused of overstaying her visa has been taken into ICE custody after allegedly slapping a girl wearing pro-Trump and ICE clothing on a New Jersey sidewalk. (US Department of Homeland Security)
“He overstayed his visa and was unable to travel,” the spokesman said, adding Tracey’s name accounts for “about 70% of ICE arrests” of illegal immigrants who have been charged or convicted of crimes.
According to DHS, the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department facilitated a controlled transfer to ICE custody following his arrest, where he will remain pending an immigration hearing.
A man who identified himself on social media as Tracey’s husband, Matthew Geroni, denied these allegations in an interview with NJ.com, saying that the incident was blown up in a different way after attracting the attention of many people on the Internet.
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“This whole situation is not compatible and someone like Kate does not belong to any institution,” Geroni told the media. “My wife has never been in trouble in her entire life. She has never been in a situation like this. This little situation that was really notburger when it happened has been blown up by Conservatives online to the point that it has caused my wife to be arrested.”
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital, the victim told police that he and three friends were walking on the sidewalk when Tracey began yelling at the group about what they were wearing.
The affidavit states that two of the victim’s friends were wearing patriotic colored pants emblazoned with the words “Trump” and “ICE.” Investigators suspect that Tracey then approached the victim and punched him once in the face and body.
Kaitlyn Tracey, 33, has been arrested on charges of assault and child endangerment after police say she assaulted a teenager for wearing patriotic and political clothing along a popular New Jersey beach. (Getty: Bloomberg)
Police tried to stop Tracey, but she refused to identify herself and continued down the street, according to the affidavit.
Investigators later identified him through social media and passport information he provided when he entered the United States from Canada in 2024.
Geroni also posted several emotional videos on social media after Tracey’s arrest, saying she was trying to find an immigration attorney and asking for help.
“I need help. I don’t know what to do,” he said in one video. “I need an immigration attorney…I need my wife.”
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Geroni also said he created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Tracey’s defense and immigration costs before she was removed from the platform. Before it was dropped, the fundraiser said it was organized by friends to help pay Tracey’s legal fees and expenses related to immigration.
In another video, Geroni said the campaign was removed after what he described as a mass reporting campaign by a “Facebook group of MAGA fans.”
Kaitlyn Tracey is now in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement pending removal proceedings. (Getty Images: DenisTangneyJr)
A spokesperson for GoFundMe disputed that claim, telling Fox News Digital that the fundraiser was removed because it violated the platform’s policies.
“GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit the collection of funds to legally defend violent crimes,” a spokesperson said. “In accordance with this long-standing policy, the fundraiser has been removed from the platform and fully refunded.”
The case also sparked backlash on Capitol Hill after DHS released surveillance video on Thursday.
“Oh, Canada. It’s coming your way!” Attorney Riley Moore, RW.Va., wrote about X. “Thank you, @SecMullinDHS!”
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Francis R. Hodgson, Tracey’s attorney, declined to comment when reached by Fox News Digital. Court records show Tracey is scheduled to appear in Ocean County Superior Court on Aug. 4.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz and Kelsie Cairns contributed to this report.
