A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation shook Haddon Township, New Jersey, on February 25 when it arrested Jersey Kebab owners Emine and Celal Emanet. The Turkish couple, who have run the restaurant since 2008, were detained in what ICE described as part of an ongoing investigation, labeling them undocumented immigrants after their visas expired. The arrests ignited a massive community response, raising over $310,000 by March 2 to fund the family’s legal defense and offset financial losses as the eatery remains shuttered. Local leaders, including Mayor Randall Teague, slammed the action as an overreach of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has vowed mass deportations. The outpouring includes protests, a letter-writing campaign, and free food offered by the couple’s son, Muhammed Emanet, amid Ramadan.
The raid unfolded in broad daylight on Haddon Avenue, a key Camden County thoroughfare, stunning residents who viewed Jersey Kebab as a community cornerstone. Emine was taken to a detention center in Elizabeth, while Celal remains in custody, both awaiting immigration hearings that could lead to their deportation. Having arrived legally in 2008 and sought permanent status since 2016, the family now faces a harsh immigration system that critics argue targets law-abiding individuals. The community’s solidarity erupted into action, with a mass letter-writing event held on March 2 at Anjali Power Yoga across from the restaurant, where dozens penned pleas to judges and politicians for the couple’s release.
While ICE defends the arrests as part of efforts to bolster public safety and combat transnational crime, locals insist the Emanets pose no threat. Mayor Teague joined other Camden County leaders for a press conference outside Jersey Kebab on February 27, urging federal intervention to reverse the detentions. The online fundraiser, launched shortly after the arrests, soared past $310,000 in under a week, reflecting the couple’s deep ties to the area and widespread outrage over current immigration policies.
ICE operation triggers wave of solidarity
The arrest of Emine and Celal Emanet turned Jersey Kebab into a rallying cry against Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, which took office pledging the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history. On February 25, ICE agents stormed the restaurant without a visible judicial warrant, an action the agency called administrative but which left Haddon Township reeling. The couple, residents for 17 years who raised their children in Cherry Hill, saw their business shuttered, prompting an immediate community backlash.
On Saturday, March 1, over 100 people gathered outside the restaurant in a peaceful protest, where Muhammed Emanet handed out free food despite fasting for Ramadan. The following day, volunteers packed Anjali Power Yoga to write letters of support, set for delivery to the immigration judge handling Emine’s case, with her bail hearing slated for mid-March. Organized by the Haddon Township Equity Initiative, the effort aims to sway authorities into reconsidering the detentions.
The community’s response extended beyond symbolism. The online fundraiser hit $250,000 by Thursday, February 27, and climbed to $310,000 by Sunday, with donations pouring in from across the U.S. and beyond. The funds will cover legal fees and sustain the family while Jersey Kebab, beloved for its Turkish dishes like kebabs and baklava, stays closed.
Emanets’ history in U.S. hits legal roadblocks
Emine and Celal Emanet arrived in the United States in 2008 on legal visas, settling in Haddon Township where they opened Jersey Kebab and wove themselves into the community fabric. Since 2016, they’ve pursued permanent residency through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), facing repeated denials that left them undocumented once their initial visas lapsed. Their February arrest laid bare the struggles of an immigration system that, according to the family and supporters, unfairly penalizes those without viable paths to legalization.
Muhammed Emanet, the restaurant’s manager and family spokesperson, stressed that his parents entered legally and have no criminal records, thriving as active community members for nearly two decades. Jersey Kebab wasn’t just a business—it was a gathering spot employing locals and serving loyal patrons. ICE cited immigration violations as the basis for the arrests, but critics argue the move aligns with a broader Trump-era push prioritizing deportations, even for those without criminal histories.
The Emanets’ legal battle has drawn national attention, with groups like the New Jersey Council on American-Islamic Relations and the state’s Immigrant Justice Alliance condemning the detentions. Having faced an appeal process before the ICE raid, the family now relies on public pressure and court rulings to avoid deportation to Turkey, a country they’ve had little connection to after 17 years in the U.S.
Haddon Township rallies behind detained owners
The response to the Emanets’ arrests has turned Haddon Township into a hub of immigrant support. On February 27, local leaders—including mayors from Haddon Township, Collingswood, and Haddonfield, plus Camden County commissioners—held a press conference outside Jersey Kebab, decrying the ICE action. Mayor Randall Teague called the Emanets “a living example of the American Dream,” noting their success in building a life and business despite immigration hurdles.
The following weekend, solidarity surged. Saturday’s protest drew hundreds, many holding signs reading “Stay strong” and “You are welcome here,” while colorful hearts adorned the restaurant’s windows. Sunday’s letter-writing campaign saw dozens craft over 100 messages supporting Emine, aiming to influence her upcoming bail hearing. Muhammed Emanet, visibly moved, thanked the community, saying the support shows how deeply his parents touched lives over the years.
The $310,000 raised by March 2 marks a stunning milestone, far exceeding initial goals and underscoring the campaign’s reach. The funds will cover legal costs, estimated in the tens of thousands, and help the family weather the restaurant’s closure. The effort reflects local frustration with deportation policies and a fierce resolve to protect a cherished family.
Timeline of the Emanets’ U.S. journey
The Emanets’ path in the U.S. is dotted with efforts at regularization and now a fight against deportation. Key events include:
- 2008: Couple arrives legally in the U.S., opening Jersey Kebab in Haddon Township.
- 2016: Begins pursuit of permanent residency through USCIS, met with repeated denials.
- February 25: ICE arrests Emine and Celal during a restaurant raid.
- February 27: Local leaders hold press conference supporting the family.
- March 2: Letter campaign and fundraiser surpass $310,000.
These milestones highlight how the Emanets’ lives shifted dramatically in days, sparking an unprecedented community response.
Financial and emotional backing swells among residents
The fundraiser for the Emanets hit $310,000 in under a week, a remarkable feat that started with modest aims and ballooned with nationwide donations. Launched hours after the February 25 arrests, the online effort saw contributions ranging from $5 to thousands, earmarked for immigration lawyers and family support while Jersey Kebab remains shut.
Beyond cash, emotional gestures abound. On Saturday, Muhammed cooked and shared dishes like kebabs and hummus for free during the protest, despite fasting for Ramadan. On Sunday, volunteers spent hours at the yoga studio writing letters, many notarized on-site, to bolster Emine’s case. The collective action showcases the tight bonds the Emanets forged in Haddon Township over 17 years.
ICE’s actions draw local backlash
ICE justified the Emanets’ arrests under Title 8 of the U.S. Code, governing immigration violations, but the rationale hasn’t quelled community outrage. The agency tied the operation to an ongoing probe, backed by the U.S. Marshals Service and DEA, yet offered no specific charges beyond their undocumented status. Family-hired immigration lawyers called it a civil matter, not criminal, noting the Emanets’ clean records and ongoing appeal when detained.
The controversy unfolds as the Trump administration ramps up deportations, with over 20,000 ICE arrests in February alone—a spike from prior years. In Haddon Township, many see the policy hitting everyday people like the Emanets rather than dangerous criminals, as pledged. The local uproar has gained national traction, with immigrant rights groups demanding Emine’s release and a rethink of ICE tactics.