On Wednesday morning, February 25, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey, ICE agents engaged in a car chase that resulted in a multi-vehicle crash.
According to witnesses, the operation began around 8:30 am, with agents trying to pull over and approach the work van of Christian Oswaldo Guevara-Guerra, who began to flee upon seeing the agents. As ICE pursued Guevara, the van crashed into two vehicles, including striking one head-on. The crash was likely exacerbated by the icy road conditions following the major snowstorms that recently hit the state.
The crash occurred at Clinton Avenue and 10th Street. One of the vehicles involved had 3 minor passengers: two teenagers and a child. Those nearby began to form a crowd, and emergency services quickly arrived at the scene. Videos of the children’s mother confronting ICE agents have been spread on social media. All 3 were taken to the hospital after sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Guevara, also injured, was sent to the hospital for medical evaluation.
In a statement, DHS (Department of Homeland Security) announced that Guevara was previously charged with “receiving stolen property and was issued a final removal order in October 2017”.
This crash has prompted many, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, to question ICE tactics. Baraka publicly called out ICE and DHS in a social media post, saying, “Federal authorities should adhere to local laws regarding vehicle pursuits and exercise common sense. Based on the damage they are inflicting on our communities, ICE has no business engaging in chases at any time, anywhere — but especially in densely populated areas, and on roads still being cleared from a significant snowstorm”.
He continued, stating, “ICE cannot come into our city and recklessly put innocent people in harm’s way while they try to apprehend their targets. State law prohibits law enforcement from chasing vehicles unless the suspect poses an imminent threat”.
Baraka also made sure to notify citizens that Newark police were not involved in the ICE investigation or operation; they were simply responding to public calls regarding the crash. He concluded, “This is our city. These are our people. And this behavior is in keeping with a rabid, lawless pattern seen nationally. Somebody could have been killed in Newark today. These agents have to adhere to local laws”.
The event also caught the attention of US Senator Cory Booker, who described the incident as “unacceptable and deeply troubling” and is demanding a review of ICE’s pursuit policies. Booker said, “This was a preventable tragedy. ICE agents put children and families at risk by engaging in a high-speed chase through our city. These tactics have no place in our communities”.
Within hours of the crash, on Wednesday night, Mayor Baraka signed an executive order “prohibiting immigration enforcement operations inside city-owned buildings without a judicial warrant”, which went into effect immediately.
