New Jersey
Illegal immigrant accused of assaulting NJ teen could be released under sanctuary policies, ICE warns
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A criminal illegal immigrant accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in New Jersey could soon be released under the state’s sanctuary policies, prompting federal immigration officials to issue a warning to local leaders.
Gerardo Garcia Gonzalez, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office on charges of sexual assault of a victim between 13 and 15 years old, criminal sexual contact and sexual assault by force or coercion.
After illegally entering the U.S. in 2001, Gonzalez was returned to Mexico and later re-entered the country at an unknown time, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“This pedophile should NEVER have been in our country and able to prey on children in the first place,” Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. “We are calling on New Jersey sanctuary politicians to NOT release this predator charged with sexually assaulting a child from jail into New Jersey neighborhoods.”
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Gerardo Garcia Gonzalez, a Mexican national previously deported from the United States, was arrested by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office on charges including sexual assault of a minor between 13 and 15 years old. (Department of Homeland Security)
Bis continued, “This is the exact reason we need sanctuary jurisdictions to work with us. No one should want this sicko to be on our streets.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requested that Gonzalez not be released under the state’s sanctuary policies.
DHS said the request follows proposals by New Jersey politicians for legislation and executive orders “designed to demonize our brave ICE law enforcement.”
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Gerardo Garcia Gonzalez was arrested in Ocean County on charges including sexual assault of a minor, as Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration faces scrutiny over the state’s sanctuary policies. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images; DHS)
Last month, two state Democratic assembly members introduced the F—ICE Act, formally known as the “Fight Unlawful Conduct and Keep Individuals and Communities Empowered Act.”
The legislation would permit civil action for alleged violations of the U.S. Constitution related to immigration enforcement.
The bill was drafted after a Democratic Socialist councilman was confronted by a federal agent after arriving at the scene of a raid on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, where an agent told him, “I don’t need a warrant, bro.”
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New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order 12 restricting certain immigration enforcement activities on state property shortly after taking office in January. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
“This is a disgusting bill just meant to demonize our officers who are experiencing a highly coordinated campaign of violence against our law enforcement,” Bis previously told Fox News Digital.
Shortly after taking office in January, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order 12, which restricts ICE activities on state property and creates a portal for residents to report immigration enforcement activity in their communities.
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit last month against New Jersey and Sherrill, accusing the state of expanding its sanctuary policies and obstructing federal immigration enforcement through the executive order.
DHS said the actions come as law enforcement officers face a 1,300% increase in assaults and an 8,000% increase in death threats.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Sherrill’s office and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz and Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
The weather overnight sent trees toppling onto cars and homes in New York and New Jersey.
The clean-up began Sunday, though rain is expected to return Monday.
Weather damage in New Jersey
In Linden, New Jersey, a fallen tree damaged Robert Goldson’s house.
“All we heard was– it felt like an earthquake,” he said. “We seen all the trunk basically tore up my garage in the back end of my house, so basically, the fire department got it.”
In Secaucus, New Jersey, part of Route 3 flooded near the Rodeway Inn. Crews were on scene to pump out the water. Local businesses did not appear to be affected, but traffic was impacted.
Weather damage in NYC
Meanwhile, in New York City, a large tree fell across bike lanes in Central Park.
Over in Brownsville, Brooklyn, a tree fell on Aaron Williams’ family car.
“So we don’t know the nature of the vehicle and how it’s going to function until the tree is removed,” he said. “And I’m hurting more than anything. And I know financially at the moment, we don’t have the finance to really fix this vehicle at the moment.”
He’s now thinking about how he’s going to take his children to school, swim practice, and how he’ll be getting his groceries.
Stay with CBS News New York for the latest on the forecast and weather damage across the region.
Watch Betty’s Icebox in Asbury Park prepare for a great summer
Local shops on the beaches and boardwalks prepare for the summer season as Memorial Day weekend approaches.
It’s o-fish-ial!
New Jersey fishing industry is the reel deal.
FishingBooker, the online fishing guide company has released it’s report on America’s Fishing Index of 2026 which evaluates performance across Anglers’ Interest, Facilities, Financial, and Geographic pillars.
The extensive research was compiled from hundreds of thousands of fishing trips, reviews, and reports, as well as industry research based on 17 different criteria’s the report stated.
For the four edition, the report details the best US fishing states and real changes compared to last 2025.
Below are the results of the search for the Garden State:
New Jersey’s 2025 rank was 28, and its 2026 rank is 15. There is a 13-spot jump, and here’s why.
- With a total of 86 points, New Jersey has officially moved from the bottom tier into the upper half of the nation, proving that its diverse mix of urban freshwater and world-class saltwater access is a major draw for modern anglers.
- While the state is rising fast, Angler Interest remains a growth area. With a score of 22 out of 55, the data suggests that New Jersey’s actual fishing quality is currently outpacing its national reputation.
- A Geography score of 15 out of 25 reflects the state’s elite saltwater infrastructure. In 2026, the state’s Artificial Reef Program, one of the most active in the country, saw new vessel deployments (such as the Susan Rose), creating immediate hotspots for black sea bass, fluke, and tautog.
- New Jersey’s 2026 rise was fueled by a massive overhaul of its Trout Stocking program. By adding 19 extra days to the season and expanding stocking to 23 new ponds, the state has made freshwater fishing more accessible to suburban and urban families than at any point in the last decade.
Key Findings of the from research:
- The 2026 top 5 looks very different than in previous years, with North Carolina and South Carolina surging into shared 4th place and Michigan rising from 4th to 3rd.
- Florida takes the top spot in 2026, climbing from 2nd place last year and reclaiming its position as the best fishing state in the US.
- There are 3 more newcomers in the top 10 compared to 2025:
- The top 10 contains:
- 6 Atlantic states
- 2 Great Lakes states
- 3 Gulf Coast states
Top 20 Fishing States in the US
- Florida
- Maryland
- Michigan
- North Carolina and South Carolina (tied)
- Louisiana
- Texas
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Wisconsin
- Rhode Island
- Hawaii and Delaware tied
- Georgia
- Alaska and New Jersey tied
- Virginia
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Ohio
New Jersey
Jersey Shore beach roped off to protect nesting birds just in time for Memorial Day weekend
They took them under their wing.
A large stretch of a Jersey Shore beach is roped off to protect a bird’s nest just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
A pair of American Oystercatchers made their home on the sand in Belmar — and New Jersey Fish and Wildlife is prohibiting beachgoers from trespassing in the area to protect them and their eggs, according to NJ Advance Media.
The agency erected signs at 7th Avenue Beach — one of the most popular spots in Belmar — that say “Do Not Enter,” and explain that the area is a nesting area for the shorebirds, which are protected under federal law.
The placards also warn that “harassing these birds, their eggs or their young” can incur a $50,000 fine or jail time.
The birds are not listed as endangered or threatened species in New Jersey, according to Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.
However, their status has been to changed to one of “special concern.”
Many on social media agreed with the agency’s efforts to protect the creatures, which are known for their black and white body and long orange-red bill.
“Love love love this!!!! Beautiful birds! One of my favorite!” one gushed.
“Leave that cute birdie alone people,” another added.
Others thought even more safety precautions were needed.
“We should send a biologist or conservation police to guard the area,” one wrote.
DEP officials told the outlet that the length of time the area would be closed will be determined by whether the chicks opt to remain there after hatching.
If the baby birds decide to relocate to another spot on the beach, that new area will be closed off instead, the agency added.
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