South Jersey woman to thank supporters after ICE detainment

HADDON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (WPHL)– On Thursday, the Emanet family plans to greet customers and community members at the restaurant to thank them for their ongoing support the day after Emine Emanet was released from a detention center in North Jersey. 

The South Jersey mother and restaurant owner is back with her family in their Cherry Hill, New Jersey home after spending more than two weeks in jail. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained her and her husband when they raided their Haddon Township, N.J. restaurant, Jersey Kabab on February 25.

“She’s just relieved now and appreciated that,” Muhammed Emanet, Emine’s son, translated to Action News at 10 as Emine spoke in her native Turkic language. “She’s here to enjoy the moment with us.”

On Tuesday, a judge ruled to release her on $7,500 bond, rejecting the government’s argument that she was a national security threat and a flight risk, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The family attorney said that Emine has no criminal history and she and her family are deeply rooted in the community, having raised children and grandchildren in South Jersey while running a business.

Originally from Turkey, Emine’s husband, Celel, was granted an R-1 visa, a non-immigrant visa that allows a religious worker to temporarily work in the United States. Before it expired, Celel applied for a green card, but said it was repeatedly denied, with his latest application left pending since 2016.

When ICE agents detained Emine and Celel, they released Celel that day after fitting 

The family’s legal battle continues with Emine scheduled to appear in court next week while Celel has a court appearance scheduled in May. 

In the meantime, the community along with local leaders have rallied behind the Emanet family, raising more than $327,000 through a GoFundMe. The money is to help the family with their legal defense and to offset costs they lost from having to close their restaurant.

The Jersey Kabab is a Halal Mediterranean restaurant on Haddon Avenue. It remains closed with heart cutouts taped to its windows. Written on the hearts are messages to the Emanet family. The family said they plan to reopen the restaurant soon.