Flemington father’s future in peril as community pulls together in support

Karim Daoud, a 46-year-old Egyptian immigrant and father of two, has spent over 40 days detained at the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility in New Jersey, his future in the United States hanging in the balance.

A fixture in Flemington’s community for two decades, Daoud was unexpectedly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 12 during what his family described as a routine appointment to renew work authorization documents.

His case has since galvanized supporters, raising questions about immigration enforcement priorities under the administration of Republican President Donald Trump.

Daoud arrived in the U.S. in 2004 on a tourist visa, later marrying Jennifer Metz, a U.S. citizen, with whom he shares two children.

For years, he navigated a labyrinthine immigration process to secure legal status, including filing an I-130 petition through his wife, which was reportedly revoked by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before being refiled in 2018.

Despite having no criminal record—a fact repeatedly emphasized by his advocates—Daoud’s legal appeals were exhausted in March 2022 when a federal court upheld a deportation order, citing a missed filing deadline.

His detention followed a visit to the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office in Newark, where he was redirected to ICE under the pretense of correcting an administrative error.

“He had gone there willingly,” said Rachel Mascitelli, a family friend organizing a $95,000 GoFundMe campaign for legal fees. “Once at the Newark ICE facility, Karim was apprehended”. ICE confirmed his arrest, stating he “violated U.S. immigration laws” and is now subject to a final removal order after exhausting all appeals.

From detention, Daoud penned a heartfelt letter to his community, shared on the “Free Karim” Facebook page, expressing gratitude for an outpouring of support. In one day alone, he received 104 letters from strangers and loved ones.

“Every ounce of steel I had left in me, just collapsed without any warning,” he wrote, reflecting on a note from his children. His wife, Jen, who is battling breast cancer while caring for a child with ulcerative colitis, has maintained daily communication, underscoring the family’s strain.

The case has drawn political attention. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), who visited Daoud unannounced at the Elizabeth facility, called the situation “heartbreaking,” noting Daoud’s deep roots in the community as a restaurant worker, pickleball instructor, and volunteer.

“This is his country, after 21 years being here,” Kim said, criticizing the enforcement approach targeting nonviolent individuals.

Local businesses have rallied behind Daoud, with “Be Kind” bumper stickers bearing his image proliferating in Flemington. A vigil last month drew hundreds, and a petition campaign urges lawmakers to intervene.

ICE maintains its actions align with federal law, emphasizing that Daoud’s deportation order follows years of litigation.

Yet the broader context remains contentious: the Trump administration’s expanded enforcement measures, including Executive Order 14159, have intensified removals, with critics arguing they disproportionately affect long-term residents without criminal histories.

As Daoud’s supporters await a resolution, his letter strikes a resilient tone: “I rest assured since God has always been with me… I’m not fighting this alone”.

The outcome remains uncertain, but for now, the fight to “Free Karim” persists—a testament to one man’s ties to a community unwilling to let go without a struggle.