A Canadian national, Kaitlyn Tracey, 33, has been ordered to be deported from the United States following an assault on a teenage girl wearing MAGA clothing on a New Jersey boardwalk. Tracey, who had overstayed her visa and was in the U.S. illegally at the time of the incident, surrendered to authorities after surveillance footage captured the altercation.
During the Fourth of July celebrations, Tracey confronted a group of teenagers, reportedly wearing clothing with "Trump" and "ICE" slogans. Surveillance footage showed Tracey striking one teenager on the shoulder before delivering a blow to her face. The incident led to Tracey being charged with several offenses, including simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Tracey was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and later to a processing center in Laredo, Texas. She pleaded guilty to misdemeanor simple assault during a hearing conducted by phone. A judge ordered her deportation and sentenced her to one day in jail, with credit for time served.
Legal Defense Fund Falters
Prior to the court proceedings, an online fundraiser was established to support Tracey's legal defense. The campaign on GiveSendGo aimed to raise $10,000, but as of Wednesday evening, it had garnered only $4,857. Earlier attempts to raise funds via GoFundMe were reportedly removed after being targeted by online groups.
GoFundMe's policies prohibit fundraisers for individuals accused of crimes. Tracey's husband, Matthew Geroni, who has a history of posting anti-Republican sentiments online, claimed the teenagers provoked Tracey and that her attire clashed with their "ICE merch." He suggested that former President Donald Trump's rhetoric emboldens such confrontations.
Tracey's lawyer, Francis Hodgson, described the attack as "unfortunate" and stated that his client had taken responsibility. He noted that Tracey had maintained employment and contributed to society while in the U.S. The victim's family reportedly expressed satisfaction with the plea deal, acknowledging the role of cameras in documenting the incident.
It remains unclear when Tracey will be deported or the duration of her ban from the U.S., though the judge indicated it would be a significant period. The Department of Homeland Security had previously referred to Tracey as the "Maple Leaf Menace" in a social media post.