TRENTON, N.J. – The Trenton Police Department is denying that its officers coordinated with federal immigration authorities after a driver who had been following immigration officers and sounding her horn to alert residents was arrested on an eluding charge Thursday.
Police said video posted by the individual shows she followed federal immigration officers for approximately 19 minutes while continuously sounding her vehicle’s horn. The woman, identified in published reports as a member of immigrant advocacy organization Resistencia en Acción, said she was trying to alert community members to the presence of immigration officers.
Police stopped the driver who was repeatedly honking her car horn.
“You can’t beep your horn like a maniac, causing a ruckus. You need to mind your business,” the officer said. “You can’t do that.”
“So the maniac is not ICE picking up families?” the woman said. “They’re just like you.”
The department said its officers initially encountered her because her vehicle was illegally parked and obstructing traffic, not because she was following immigration agents. Police said she moved the vehicle when instructed but was later stopped after officers allegedly saw her commit multiple traffic violations, including failing to stop at several stop signs.
- Trenton police said they did not coordinate with ICE or other federal immigration officers in connection with the arrest.
- Police allege the driver committed multiple motor vehicle violations and failed to stop when officers activated their lights and siren.
- The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office has been asked to conduct a full review because of the circumstances and public concern surrounding the arrest. (Peterson’s Breaking News of Trenton)
Trenton Police Say First Encounter Involved Illegally Parked Vehicle
According to the department’s Aug. 20 press release, patrol officers encountered the situation while working their assigned district.
“The officers’ attention was initially drawn to the activity occurring in the roadway and a vehicle that was illegally parked and obstructing the flow of traffic,” the department said.
Police asked the driver to move the vehicle, and she complied. Officers then returned to their patrol vehicle and continued along the same street.
The department said the situation escalated only after officers found themselves traveling behind the vehicle and allegedly observed the driver commit several motor vehicle violations.
“While traveling behind the vehicle, the officers observed the operator commit multiple motor vehicle violations, including failing to stop at several posted stop signs,” police said.
Officers then attempted to conduct a traffic stop, saying the alleged violations could pose a danger to the driver, other motorists and pedestrians.
Police said the driver did not initially pull over after emergency lights and a siren were activated. The vehicle was eventually stopped, and the driver was arrested for eluding police. (Peterson’s Breaking News of Trenton)
Police Deny Working With ICE, Mercer Prosecutor Asked to Review Arrest
The arrest drew attention because the driver had been monitoring federal immigration officers immediately before her interaction with local police.
“The Trenton Police Department did not coordinate with ICE in connection with this incident or the arrest,” the department said.
Police emphasized that officers’ initial contact involved the illegally parked vehicle and that the second encounter followed the alleged traffic violations and attempted motor vehicle stop.
The department said it nevertheless referred the matter to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office “for a full review” because of public concern and the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
Trenton police also said officers receive roll-call and state-mandated training regarding New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive and applicable state law. The department’s public-information page includes its immigration directives.
“The Department adheres to those requirements, as well as the recently adopted City ordinance reflecting state law,” police said.
Trenton City Council adopted an ordinance in June codifying protections associated with the Immigrant Trust Act and limiting local law-enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, according to Patch.
Arrest Comes Amid Heightened Scrutiny of Immigration Enforcement
The incident puts the distinction between local policing and federal immigration enforcement at the center of the controversy.
According to police, the driver’s stated purpose in following the federal officers and sounding her horn was to warn residents that immigration officers were nearby. The department maintains that her advocacy activity was not the basis for the arrest.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office review could provide an independent assessment of the officers’ actions and whether the arrest complied with applicable policies and state law.
The eluding charge is an accusation. The driver is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Why did Trenton police say the driver was arrested?
Police said officers observed multiple motor vehicle violations and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver initially failed to stop after emergency lights and a siren were activated. She was subsequently arrested for eluding.
Was Trenton police working with ICE during the arrest?
The department says no. “The Trenton Police Department did not coordinate with ICE in connection with this incident or the arrest,” police said.
Who will review the Trenton police encounter?
The department referred the matter to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office for a full review because of the circumstances surrounding the incident and resulting public concern.
Sources: Trenton Police Department Aug. 20, 2026 press release and official department information
