JACKSON, N.J. (VINnews) – A fatal crash that killed a 9-month-old Jewish baby in New Jersey has renewed debate over immigration enforcement after authorities said the two women charged in the case had entered the United States during the Biden administration.
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Maria Cobon-Guzmán, 20, a Guatemalan national, is charged with manslaughter and other offenses in connection with the Aug. 28 crash. Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, 22, a Mexican national, also faces charges after authorities said she allowed Cobon-Guzmán, who had never been licensed to drive, to operate her vehicle.
The crash happened at about 11:55 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of NPGS, a kosher grocery store in Jackson Township. Cobon-Guzmán allegedly struck a mother who was pushing a stroller carrying her 9-month-old son, Yitzchok Rosenberg, and his 5-year-old sister.
Rosenberg was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he was pronounced dead. His mother and sister were also injured and hospitalized.
Authorities said Cobon-Guzmán had never held a driver’s license. Lazaro-Flores, who owned the vehicle, was charged with knowingly creating a substantial risk of death by allegedly allowing her to drive.
The immigration history of both women has become a central part of the controversy.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Lazaro-Flores entered the United States illegally five times in October 2023 and was removed after each entry. She later entered the country again and remained in the United States.
Cobon-Guzmán entered the country once and was released into the interior, DHS said. An immigration judge issued a removal order against her on July 31.
ICE has lodged immigration detainers against both women, seeking their custody for possible immigration enforcement following the criminal proceedings.
The case has also brought renewed attention to New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which limits the voluntary assistance state and local law enforcement agencies can provide to federal immigration authorities. The directive generally bars officers from detaining people solely because of their immigration status, while allowing them to enforce state criminal laws and comply with valid judicial warrants and court orders.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed legislation in March codifying the directive into state law. Her administration has also taken other steps concerning interactions between New Jersey officials and federal immigration authorities.
DHS has urged the Ocean County Jail to honor the ICE detainers and transfer the two women to federal immigration custody when legally permitted. In comments reported by Fox News, the agency sharply criticized the Biden administration’s immigration policies and argued that the tragedy could have been prevented.
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., called for New Jersey to repeal what he described as its “sanctuary state” status and allow greater cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
Smith also questioned how Lazaro-Flores was able to obtain a New Jersey driver’s license despite her immigration history and alleged prior driving-related violations. He noted that Cobon-Guzmán, who was allegedly behind the wheel during the fatal crash, had never been licensed.
Fox News reported Sept. 1 that Sherrill had not publicly commented on the crash at that time. A spokesperson for the governor directed questions to the state attorney general’s office.
Both women face criminal charges in connection with the crash. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty.
What were they doing in the kosher supermarket’s parking lot?
Were they working there? If yes, their employer needs to face the music.
First step stop hiring illegals
Whenever there is a death, especially manslaughter, all of the conditions must be taken into account. Lawless illegal aliens should be held to a higher standard than citizens as their presence is already a violation of the law. So the prerequisite of guilt supercedes all additional wrong doings. It is similar to a getaway car driver for a bank robbery where the assailants end up killing someone. Although the driver did not sign up for a murder escape, by default they are charged as an accomplice to the killing by being part of the scenario. This should be treated differently than an accident involving a licenced citizen legally permitted to drive.
Dem-o-rats from Evil Biden to the rest have blood on their shocked hands. Shame and all of them and shame on anyone who supports them or give them a tour of a store or pours apple during for the antisemite.
really terrible, they deserve life penalties or worse…..
This is a tragedy, and my heart goes out to the Rosenberg family. The facts here are clear: a young child is dead, and two individuals are charged. One had no license, and the other knowingly let her drive. This highlights a severe breakdown in accountability and enforcement.
We must have clear, rapid justice. When laws are not enforced, whether for driving or immigration, the system fails. We need leaders who understand that true compassion means protecting all citizens through clear rules and decisive action, not through policies that create loopholes for danger. This is not about politics; it is about protecting lives and ensuring order. We need to hold people accountable for their actions and for allowing dangerous situations to persist. My vision for a renewed Israel, for example, demands a just political apparatus, taking responsibility for loyal minorities, and fighting negative trends. This includes cracking down on crime and ensuring swift justice for all.
what does HIAS say?
Most immigrants are hard working and the vast majority of us benefits from their labor. This is a tragedy but not an excuse to embrace the cruel and inhumane approach of the Trump administration that is tearing parents from children and deporting people to countries that they have no connection to. As frum.Jews we recognize that all humans are created btzelem elokim. We must never allow non-Jewish MAGA values to seep into and corrupt our pristine hashkafa.
Nonsense sadly many legal Americans including in our own community killed people with reckless driving. Nothing to do with immigrants. And we need immigrants . They are our best workers