In a shocking display of the Trump administration’s relentless crackdown on immigrants, Emine and Celal Emanet, the beloved owners of Jersey Kebab, were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Tuesday, February 25, leaving their family, friends, and community in disbelief and outrage.
The couple, who have been pillars of the Haddon Township community for nearly two decades, were taken into custody despite their ongoing efforts to resolve their immigration status, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for reform to the nation’s broken immigration system.
The Emanets, Turkish citizens who moved to the United States in 2008 on an R1 visa, have been in legal limbo since their green card applications were repeatedly denied.
Despite their contributions to the community as small business owners, taxpayers, and philanthropists, ICE agents raided their restaurant, Jersey Kebab, and arrested the couple in front of their horrified son, Muhammed Emanet, who arrived at work to find his parents in handcuffs.
“When I came in and realized that someone had my mother in handcuffs, that’s when I knew it was the beginning of what we have feared for so long,” Muhammed said, his voice trembling with emotion. “I haven’t been able to sleep at all throughout the night.”
The arrests have ignited a firestorm of criticism from local leaders and residents, who describe the Emanets as kind, hardworking individuals who have become an integral part of the community.
Haddon Township Mayor Randall Teague called the detainment a “tragedy,” praising the couple for their generosity and dedication.
“They couldn’t be nicer. You go in there and get your food, and they try to give you more food,” Teague said. “You couldn’t ask for better people to be in our community.”
Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. echoed these sentiments, condemning the arrests as “appalling” and a stark example of the failures of the U.S. immigration system.
“This couple works hard every single day to provide for their four children, grandchildren, and to feed the community,” Cappelli said. “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.”
The Emanets’ story is a heartbreaking reflection of the human cost of America’s immigration policies. After their R1 visa expired, Celal applied for a green card, but his application was denied three times, leaving the family in legal purgatory since 2016.
Despite this, they continued to build their lives in Haddon Township, where they opened Jersey Kebab, a Mediterranean restaurant that quickly became a community hub.
Known for their generosity, the Emanets regularly provided free meals to those in need, with a sign on their door reading, “Free to anyone with a disability, homeless, or simply cannot afford it.”
A GoFundMe page started has raised over $289,000, brightly colored hearts have appeared Jersey Kebab’s storefront with handwritten, uplifting messages and community events are planned throughout the weekend to continue crusading for the Emanets.
“The Emanet family has an open case with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and has been waiting since 2016 for a decision on their case. USCIS has not decided whether to approve or deny their green card application for the past 9 years,” said Lori Weinberg Leonard, who is organizing the fundraiser. “While waiting for their case to be decided upon, Celal and Emine Emanet were left without a status.”
“They are contributing members of society and taxpayers with a five-year valid business license,” said Weinberg Leonard. “Celal and Emine own and operate Jersey Kebab, a beloved Mediterranean restaurant across from the Haddon Township Municipality and Police building.”
Now, their future hangs in the balance. While Celal has been released with an ankle monitor, Emine remains detained at an ICE facility in North Jersey, separated from her family and facing the threat of deportation.
Their 15-year-old son, Hamza, who has autism, relies heavily on his mother’s care and the specialized services available to him in New Jersey. Uprooting him from this support system, advocates argue, would have devastating consequences for his well-being.
“Emine is not a flight risk—she is a mother, a community member, and a neighbor,” said Kris Forrest, a Collingswood resident and longtime supporter of the Emanets. “Neither Celal nor Emine have criminal records or prior orders of removal. She needs to be released on bond so she can return home.”
The community has rallied behind the Emanets, calling for immediate reforms to the immigration system.
“This family 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. Fix the immigration system, and let’s fix it now.”
As the Emanets await their fate, their story has become a rallying cry for immigration reform and a stark reminder of the human toll of policies that prioritize enforcement over compassion. For Muhammed and his siblings, the outpouring of support from the community has been a source of strength during an unimaginably difficult time.
“This really extends our family to a much broader circle,” Muhammed said. “Our customers, who we have gained throughout the years, are now truly our family because they are seeing our deepest burdens. We are so grateful for their support.”