ICE Raids Jersey Kebab In Haddon Twp., Owners Detained, Report Says

HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ — Community support has surged for the owners of a Haddon Township restaurant after immigration authorities reportedly detained them on Tuesday.

Celal and Emine Emanet own Jersey Kebab. Federal Marshals and officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took the husband and wife into custody at the restaurant, according to family members.

Emine is detained at the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility in North Jersey as of Wednesday morning, according to ICE records. Her husband, Celal, was released with an ankle monitor, their son told CBS Philadelphia.

An ICE spokesperson said they’re looking into Patch’s questions but did not return comment in time for initial publication.

The Turkish couple came to the United States in 2008, according to their son, Muhammed Emanet.

“Their immigration is actually still pending, but because their court case hasn’t been decided yet, until it is decided, they’re just going to be held liable and not be able to be on free will,” Muhammed told CBS Philadelphia.

The Enamet family has been waiting nine years for a decision on their green card applications to become permanent U.S. residents, according to a GoFundMe on their behalf.

The online fundraiser has generated nearly $75,000 as of late Wednesday morning.

Celal and Emini pay taxes and have a valid business license, the GoFundMe says. They also don’t have criminal records or prior orders of removal by an immigration judge, according to the fundraiser.

Jersey Kebab is located in the heart of Haddon Township, across from the police station and municipal building on Haddon Avenue. A sign on the door states the restaurant is “free to anybody with a disability or homeless or simply cannot afford it.”

Their detainment comes as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to carry out campaign promises of mass deportation. Some of President Trump’s executive orders have been blocked by judges, including an order to end the constitutional right of birthright citizenship for children of parents who are in the U.S. illegally.

Celal and Emine have several children and grandchildren. Their deportation would be especially devastating for their 15-year-old son who has autism, according to the GoFundMe.

Jersey Kebab will be closed until further notice, the restaurant announced Tuesday.

Muhammed Emanet told CBS Philadelphia that he is remaining positive.

“Being the type of people we are as Muslims we are taught that no matter how much someone have wronged you, you have to kill them with kindness almost,” he told the news outlet. “You have to forgive them and let it go.”