ICE has released a statement in response to the controversial arrests that occurred in New Jersey. Two Turkish citizens, Emine and Celal Emanet, were administratively arrested by ICE for being present in the United States illegally. The agency cited its authority under Title 8 of the U.S. Code to investigate and enforce immigration laws, especially in cases involving national security, public safety, and transnational crime. The Emanets have been served a notice to appear before an immigration judge and are in removal proceedings.
Celal Emanet was released from custody with an ankle monitor and expressed his shock and anxiety about the situation in an interview with NBC10. Meanwhile, Emine Emanet remains in ICE custody at a detention center in North Jersey. The ICE spokesperson explained that Emine Emanet is still in custody, while Celal Emanet is under an Alternative to Detention (ATD) program, both awaiting removal proceedings. The ATD program, which has been in place since 2004, uses technology and case management to ensure compliance with release conditions, court hearings, and removal orders.
The ICE spokesperson emphasized that enforcement decisions are made on a case-by-case basis to prioritize homeland security threats. Due to privacy concerns, ICE cannot provide specific information about the detained individuals. Immigration attorney Joseph Best revealed that the couple had moved to the U.S. from Turkey in 2008 on an R1 visa, and Celal Emanet had applied for a green card before the visa expired, facing denial three times since 2016.
Camden County officials and community leaders expressed dismay over the situation, highlighting the Emanet family’s contributions to the local community through their restaurant, Jersey Kebab Mediterranean Grill. They emphasized the family’s hard work and community involvement, describing them as law-abiding individuals caught in a broken immigration system. Community leaders held a press conference to show support for the Emanet family and called attention to the impact of their actions on the local community.
Teague mentioned that leaders in Haddon Township sought guidance from Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., on the ongoing case, stressing the need for a solution to the immigration system’s delays. They emphasized the plight of a family torn apart by this broken system, asserting the importance of standing up for humanity and advocating for change. Camden County Commissioner Cappelli echoed these sentiments, highlighting the unjust suffering faced by good people due to the flawed immigration system. Commissioner Virginia Betteridge emphasized the need to streamline the pathway to residency and citizenship for those waiting to legalize their status without unnecessary incarceration.
In a show of solidarity, both Camden County officials and residents of Haddon Township rallied behind the affected couple. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $310,000 to support the family, demonstrating the community’s generosity. Additionally, locals gathered at Anjali Power Yoga to write letters advocating for Emine Emanet’s release, aiming to sway influential figures to support her cause.
Muhammed Emanet, the couple’s son, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received and underscored the importance of being judged by their peers. While their restaurant, Jersey Kebab, remains closed, Muhammed continued to offer free meals to the community as a gesture of goodwill. The family’s immigration lawyer, Best, asserted that they entered the U.S. legally and have the right to seek legal recourse through the immigration court system.
As the couple awaits their case to be processed, uncertainties loom over the duration of the legal proceedings. Against the backdrop of President Trump’s administration’s stringent immigration policies, which prioritize detaining undocumented immigrants, the Emanets’ situation reflects a broader trend of increased immigration-related arrests and detentions. The legal battle ahead underscores the challenges faced by many immigrants navigating a complex and overburdened system.
