Latest news with #EmineEmanet
CBS News
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Immigration case against New Jersey restaurant co-owner remains unresolved as deportation hearing is postponed
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement case against a co-owner of Jersey Kebab in Haddon Township, New Jersey, remains unresolved. Celal Emanet's deportation hearing has been pushed back another four years, according to his son. In February, ICE agents arrested Celal and his wife, Emine Emanet, at their restaurant in Camden County. Celal Emanet was later released with an ankle monitor while his wife was taken to a detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She was released on bond about two weeks later. During her detention, neighbors and elected officials rallied around the family. Many described the Emanets as kind small business owners who often share with those in need. The family hosted a free community feast to celebrate Emine Emanet's release. The government says the Emanets are in the United States illegally. The couple, who immigrated from Turkey in 2008, said they applied for green cards and their status has been pending since 2016. During a press conference while Emine Emanet was detained, local leaders spoke out in support of the family. "What happened to Celal and Emine is outrageous. And here in Camden County, we take it as a personal attack on all of us," Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. Capelli said the family was being "torn apart by this broken immigration system." "We couldn't ask for better people in our community, better people to have a business in our community," Haddon Township Mayor Randy Teague said.
CBS News
13-03-2025
- CBS News
New Jersey community welcomes home restaurant owner Emine Emanet after her release from detention center
Less than 24 hours after being released from a detention center, the owner of a popular restaurant in Camden County returned to the spot where she was arrested by ICE agents to thank her neighbors for their support. On Thursday afternoon, drivers started honking and customers were cheering as the community welcomed home Emine Emanet. "I know the whole community is so excited to see that she's been released. I mean, they're such a great family," said Anita Campana, who works across the street from the restaurant. Emine Emanet stood on the sidewalk outside her restaurant, Jersey Kebab, and read the many messages of love and encouragement written on brightly colored hearts that have been taped to the windows. She said it was this support from the community that kept her going the past two weeks while inside an immigrant detention center in North Jersey. "She's very happy, you know. This township, also Cherry Hill, Collingswood, this area, all supported and they are calling her from morning until now," said Celal Emanet, Emine's husband. A bouquet of flowers sat by the door at Jersey Kebab, waiting for her. Emine Emanet hugged her neighbors and then walked back inside her business for the first time. "They're great people, and I order from there all the time. If I'm too busy, they know me, and they'll run my food down for me," said Tara Martinak, who works a few doors down. The mother and grandmother was released on bond Wednesday night and reunited with her family outside the detention facility. On Feb. 25, Emine Emanet and her husband were arrested by ICE agents during a raid at their family-owned restaurant in Haddon Township. Emine Emanet was detained and her husband was released after being fitted with an electronic ankle monitor. The couple came to the U.S from Turkey in 2008 on a religious visa, and their application for a green card has been pending since 2016. "We're just hoping for the very best of things for them. Hopefully, they can stay here and reopen their restaurant," Campana said. While the family's future may be uncertain, their focus right now is on spending time together. Then, they plan on reopening the restaurant on March 30. "The first day, we are going to have free food for everybody, probably on Sunday. That day we are going to celebrate Ramadan and make a party with everybody," Celal Emanet said. Celal Emanet said he has a deportation hearing scheduled for May 27. The couple's attorney told CBS News Philadelphia he's working to consolidate their cases so they can be heard together.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jersey Kebab ICE raid: Judge grants mother to be released on bond
The Brief Celal and Emine Emanet, owners of Jersey Kebab in Haddon Township, were arrested on February 25 during an ICE raid. Celal was later released with an ankle monitor, and Emine was sent to a detention center in Elizabeth. On Tuesday, March 11, an immigration judge granted the release of Emine on bond. HADDON TWP., NJ - Emine Emanet, 47, has been in ICE detention since she and her husband were arrested on February 25, 2025. A judge has granted the South Jersey mother to be released on bond. The backstory Celal and Emine Emanet, owners of Jersey Kebab in Haddon Township, were arrested on February 25, 2025 during an ICE raid. The husband and wife were told they were being detained to update their case file, which the family says has been in limbo since 2016. The couple purportedly applied for a green card nearly 10 years ago and have been awaiting a final decision ever since. Celal was later released with an ankle monitor, and Emine was sent to a detention center in Elizabeth. A GoFundMe campaign for the Emanet family has raised over $320k as of this writing. What we know Two weeks after the couple's arrests, an immigration judge granted a $7,500 bond to release Emine Emanet. Though the family filled out the Department of Homeland Security paperwork Tuesday after the immigration hearing, it was too late to pay the bail. Therefore, Emine will be released Wednesday morning. The Emanet family has received an overwhelming outpouring of support from the South Jersey community after the ICE raid. What they're saying The couple's oldest son, Muhammed, spoke with FOX 29's Jennifer Lee Tuesday. "At the end of the day hopefully what started as a nightmare will end as a fairytale for us and finally we'll have what we've truly been looking for and have the same human rights next to our American citizens as well," said Muhammed. Congressman Norcross sent the following statement: "I'm glad to see that Emine was able to reunite with her family. The Emanet family's story is a clear example of why we need real immigration reform that will make a legal pathway to citizenship. While their legal battle is far from over, my office will continue to work with the family throughout the process." Later Tuesday night, Muhammed spoke with FOX 29 and expressed his happiness over his mom's pending release. "She was very happy. I spent one hour with her because it was visitors time after court. Between 5 and 6pm. She was very happy. She was very excited. But I wish we had completed all the paperwork today, but we didn't have time unfortunately, but she's very happy." What's next Though Emine will be released on bail, the family still faces court hearings for both Emine and to determine if they will get deported. The Source The information in this story is from the Emanet family.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Jersey Kabab matriarch to see a judge Tuesday: The latest on the Emanet family and ICE.
Emine Emanet, owner of a Turkish restaurant in South Jersey, will face an immigration judge Tuesday, according to the family. Emanet's detainment Feb. 25 upset many residents of Camden County's Haddon Township. More than $321,000 was raised for Emanet via GoFundMe, accompanied by outpourings of support on social media, letter-writing campaigns and a demonstration outside of the popular Mediterranean grill. In a message shared with this publication via the Jersey Kebab Instagram account, Emanet is to appear before a judge for her bond trial March 11. More: 'Immigrants are welcome here': Hundreds show support for Jersey Kebab, Emanet family Jersey Kebab, a quaint, family-owned business, made headlines after Immigration and Customs Enforcement enforcement arrested Emanet. She was placed in an Elizabeth detention center. Her husband, Celal, was fitted with an ankle monitor. A family member said he avoided placement in a detention center because he was deemed the family's primary breadwinner and caregiver for an autistic child. An ICE representative was not made available for a statement to this publication after multiple attempts. In a statement released to NBC 10 Philadelphia, however, an ICE spokesperson said the Emanets were in the country illegally. 'As with any noncitizen in the United States without lawful status, ICE officers make enforcement decisions on a case-by-case basis to focus on the greatest threats to homeland security in a professional and responsible manner informed by their experience as law enforcement officers," the spokesperson said. "Per ICE policy, we will not discuss active or ongoing investigations. ICE is also unable to provide any information on the individuals detained due to privacy issues." According to the family, the Emanet's green card application had been pending for nearly a decade. "Don't misunderstand us," Emanet's husband pleaded to those reading about his family's situation during an interview with this publication March 1. "I didn't misuse anything," he added, saying that his family had been caught in a gray area of legal status since 2016 as they awaited a verdict on their green card application. Now further entwined in the complications of America's immigration system, the family and their attorney await a decision next week that will determine whether the matriarch is able to return home on bond. This story may be updated. Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@ And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Appearance date set for Emine Emanet in immigration case,
NBC News
04-03-2025
- NBC News
Amid community outcry, ICE releases statement on arrests of N.J. restaurant owners
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson released a statement on the detainment of the owners of a popular New Jersey restaurant amid outrage from local community leaders and residents. Last Tuesday, ICE officers raided the Jersey Kebab restaurant in Haddon Township and arrested the owners, Emine Emanet and her husband, Celal Emanet. 'During the investigation, ICE administratively arrested two Turkish citizens, Emine and Celal Emanet, who are present in the United States illegally. ICE authority under Title 8 of the U.S. Code enables the agency to investigate and enforce immigration laws, particularly in cases where immigration violations intersect with national security, public safety and transnational crime,' the ICE spokesperson wrote in a statement on Friday. 'The Emanets were served a notice to appear before an immigration judge and place in removal proceedings.' Celal Emanet was released from custody with an ankle monitor and spoke with NBC10 on Tuesday. 'I was shocked and my heart was getting crushed,' he said. 'I was so much nervous. But I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't do anything wrong in my life.' His wife remains in custody at an ICE detention center in North Jersey. 'Emine Emanet remains in ICE custody and Celal Emanet is on an Alternative to Detention (ATD), each pending removal proceedings. ICE's ATD program, which began in 2004, uses technology and case management to ensure alien compliance with release conditions, court hearings and final orders of removal,' the ICE spokesperson wrote in part. Immigration attorney Joseph Best told NBC10 the couple moved to the United States from Turkey in 2008 on an R1 visa. According to Camden County officials, Celal Emanet applied for a green card before the visa expired. Emanet said his application was denied three times and the couple has been in limbo since 2016. 'This incident is appalling and an unfortunate example of just how broken the immigration system is here in our country,' Camden County commissioner director Louis Cappelli Jr. said in a statement on Feb. 27. 'This couple works hard every single day to provide for their four children, grandchildren and to feed the community. They have been left without any options when it comes to their immigration status and to be arrested for something they have no control over, is unacceptable.' Cappelli, Haddon Township Mayor Randall Teague and other community leaders held a press conference in support of the Emanet family outside Jersey Kebab on Thursday. Teague described the couple's restaurant as a 'pillar' in Haddon Township. He also said the family has participated in Toys for Tots drives and organized food drives that have 'left a lasting impact' on the community. 'We consider this situation maybe somewhat different than some of the other ones that we hear on TV where there's criminals and rapists and so forth coming into our country, Teague said. 'They came in here legally and they're trying to stay here legally.' Teague said Haddon Township leaders reached out to Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., for guidance on the ongoing case. The local officials also had a broader message about the immigration system and delays within it. 'This family is a family that embodies the very best of Camden County. And now they're torn apart by this broken immigration system,' Cappelli said. 'It is time to stand up for good people. It is time to stand up for humanity. These folks do not deserve this. These folks do not deserve this. Fix the immigration system and let's fix it now.' Camden County Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, whose parents came to America from Cuba in the 1960s, also spoke about fixing the 'pathway.' 'There is no reason for people to be incarcerated when they're waiting to get their documents in order and to be sure that they can become a resident and then a citizen of this country,' she said. In addition to Camden County leaders, Haddon Township residents are also showing their support for the couple. A GoFundMe for the family has raised more than $310,000 as of Sunday. Also on Sunday, community members gathered inside Anjali Power Yoga across the street from Jersey Kebab to write letters in support of Emine Emanet's release. 'The goal is for the judges, the politicians and anyone locally with influence and power to know that the community stands by this resident,' Isis Williams of the Haddon Township Equity Initiative told NBC10. The couple's son, Muhammed Emanet, plans to take those letters to the immigration judge who ultimately presides over his mother's case. He said his family has been touched by the outpouring of support. 'I just cannot thank the community enough for the support they have given us,' he said. 'And I just wish that we were judged amongst our peers instead of being judged by other judges who do not personally know us at all.' While Jersey Kebab remains closed until further notice, Muhammed Emanet still cooked free food for the community over the weekend. 'They are a good family. They are not criminals. They entered the U.S. legally," Best, the immigration lawyer, wrote in a statement to NBC10 on Sunday. 'The Federal immigration and nationality law provides for them the legal means to rectify their situation and seek relief from removal before the immigration court.' Best told NBC10 he is waiting for the couple's case to be entered into the immigration court system, which will start the removal proceedings ICE is requesting but also allow the Emanets to ask for legal status. It's unclear how long that process would take. New Jersey's immigration court currently has more than 220,000 pending cases. The couple's arrest occurred amid a nationwide push from President Donald Trump's administration to detain immigrants who entered the United States without the proper documents. While the administration vowed to prioritize the 'worst first' when it comes to arrests and deportations, the number of detainees in ICE custody without a criminal conviction or pending criminal charges increased by more than 1,800 in the first two weeks of February, representing 41% of the 4,422 total new detainees in that period, according to data obtained by NBC News.
