January 1, Democrats Celebrate Illegal Immigrant Accused of Assaulting His Wife

Wyatt’s Take

• Radical House Democrats are honoring a man with a documented domestic violence arrest instead of standing with American families.
• Police records show Martin Soto was picked up after allegedly beating his wife while children were present.
• Left-wing politicians keep pushing the false story while ignoring the facts about his violent history.

House Democrats just honored an illegal immigrant whose story of being wrongly detained has fallen apart. Police records now show he was first arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife.

New Jersey Rep. Nellie Pou held a ceremony last week to celebrate Martin Soto and his wife Gabriela. She called them special guests and handed them a letter after his release from ICE custody.

“I want to especially recognize Martin and Gabriela Soto, who are right here. I cannot imagine, I cannot imagine what those months were like for Martin and for Gabriela and their children. No family, no family should have to endure what they went through. No family,” Pou said.

“My office is proud to say that we worked very hard for months to secure Martin’s release. I worked very closely with so many different advocates, with many of my other colleagues, both Congressman Menendez and Congresswoman McIver and Congresswoman Analilia Mejia,” she said.

Pou thanked Gabriela for pushing ICE and called her “una mujer bien poderosa” for speaking out publicly.

“Pushing ICE and working with advocates who refused, we refused to give up. And, but I want you to know I want to recognize Martin’s wife, Gabriela. Gabriela is an unbelievable individual. Una mujer bien poderosa [a very powerful woman] in her own right. She spoke out publicly, demanded answers, told her family’s story, and never allowed anyone to forget about Martin. Thank you. Thank you for your courage, for your determination, and for your refusal to give up,” Pou said.

ICE records show Soto was taken into custody the day after his arrest by local police for domestic violence. The agency also accused him of inciting unrest inside the detention center.

“Martin, we are so very happy to see that you are finally home with your family. Martin, we are very happy that God has given you this freedom for now. I know that we are still fighting to ensure that he is permanently released. But he has the prayers of so many people. And like Martin, there are many other people who are suffering today. We understand that,” Pou said.

Police reports detail that Soto allegedly struck his wife in the face with open and closed hands, causing cuts and scratches. He also reportedly covered her mouth so she could not scream for help.

The assault happened while children were present in the home. Officers responded to a domestic violence call and arrested Soto at the scene.

The victim was identified in the report as “Ms. Soto,” the daughter of “Mr. Gabriel Osores,” Gabriela’s maiden name. The case was later expunged, according to a Kearny city official.

Other New Jersey Democrats including Sens. Andy Kim and Cory Booker and Reps. Analilia Mejía and Bonnie Watson Coleman have also supported Soto. None responded to requests for comment after the police records surfaced.

Soto’s lawyer has denied he has a criminal record and claimed he is a victim of crime, not a perpetrator. Gabriela Soto has also denied the allegations despite the police documentation.

“My husband NEVER hit me I even have proof from pictures and selfies I had taken that week and I do not have no bodily injury. My husband never hit anyone. It’s only me my husband and kids at the home. My husband never would hit a female ever,” she said.

While Soto was detained, Gabriela raised over sixty-seven thousand dollars through a GoFundMe campaign. She also led protests demanding the release of illegal immigrants from ICE custody.

Wyatt Matters

Working families in the heartland believe that protecting women and children comes before political theater. When elected officials celebrate those with violent records over law-abiding citizens, they show exactly where their priorities lie.