HADDON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested a husband and wife on Tuesday in Camden County, leaving their beloved kebab shop closed indefinitely. The community has rallied together to support the family.
Celal and Emine Emanet, who own Jersey Kebab in Haddon Township, have had an open case with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services since 2016. But now, Celal is forced to wear an ankle monitor, and Emine is in custody at the Elizabeth Detention Center.
It’s left their eldest son and shop manager, Muhammed, anxious and scared.
“Why should a person with no criminal history at all have to spend three weeks behind bars?” he asked. “Especially when they have four kids at home — one being autistic, asking where his mother is — two grandchildren, a business that we’ve built for years.”
Muhammed said customers love his mother.
“All of the customers that come in, she knows their order by heart,” he said. “This restaurant has really become the beacon of hope for her and was her true way of being an independent woman. And right now, she’s the one suffering the most.”
Celal has a bond hearing scheduled for March 12, and Emine has one the following day. However, Ramadan begins this weekend, which would force Emine to fast while behind bars.
Jersey Kebab will not reopen until the entire family can return to the shop, a place known to give free food to people experiencing homelessness.
In the meantime, the community is rallying behind the restaurant. A GoFundMe page created to help the family raised more than $200,000 in 24 hours.
Lori Leonard helped the family set up the GoFundMe, which has wildly exceeded their expectations.
“When government fails and institutions fail, you can rely on the community,” she said.
Muhammed said there’s another way people can help: Send letters about their personal experiences with Jersey Kebab to the offices of Congressman Donald Norcross, or Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim.