Key Takeaways
• Emine and Celal Emanet detained by ICE on February 25, 2025, with Emine held two weeks.
• Their green card applications have been denied thrice; latest pending since 2016 with no USCIS decision.
• Immigration court backlog in New Jersey exceeds 220,000 cases, delaying hearings into 2025.
Emine Emanet, co-owner of Jersey Kebab in Haddon Township, New Jersey, is at the center of a long-running immigration case that highlights the challenges many immigrants face in the United States 🇺🇸. Her story, which involves detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), community support, and ongoing legal battles, shows how complex and slow the immigration system can be for families who have lived and worked in the country for years.
Who is Involved and What Happened?
Emine Emanet and her husband, Celal Emanet, are well-known in their local community as the owners of Jersey Kebab, a popular restaurant in Haddon Township. On February 25, 2025, both were detained by ICE officers at their restaurant. While Celal was released the next day with an ankle monitor, Emine was held at the Elizabeth Detention Center for about two weeks. On March 11, 2025, a federal judge set a $7,500 bond for her release. Thanks to help from the Envision Freedom Fund, her family posted the bond, and Emine was able to return home on March 12, 2025.
Their legal troubles are not over. The Emanet family’s immigration case is now moving through the immigration court system, with hearings expected to continue for several months, possibly even years. Their attorney, Joseph Best, is working to have both Emine and Celal’s cases heard together, but the process is slow due to the large backlog in New Jersey’s immigration courts.
Why Was the Emanet Family Detained?
The Emanet family first came to the United States 🇺🇸 from Turkey in 2008. They entered on R-1 visas, which are for religious workers who come to the U.S. temporarily. According to their son, Muhammad, the family lived in the country legally for many years. However, their visas eventually expired, and they fell out of legal status. Since then, they have tried several times to get permanent residency (a green card), but their applications have been denied three times. Their most recent green card application has been pending since 2016, with no decision from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Because their visas expired and their green card applications have not been approved, ICE began removal (deportation) proceedings against them. This is a common situation for many families who come to the U.S. legally but struggle to adjust their status due to delays and denials in the immigration system.
How Does the Immigration Court Process Work?
When someone is detained by ICE and placed in removal proceedings, their case is sent to immigration court. Here, a judge decides whether they can stay in the United States 🇺🇸 or must leave. The Emanet family’s attorney is waiting for their case to be fully entered into the court system. Once this happens, the family will have a chance to formally request legal status and ask for relief from removal.
Some of the legal options available to people in removal proceedings include:
- Asylum: Protection for people who fear harm if they return to their home country.
- Cancellation of Removal: A way for some people to stay in the U.S. if they meet certain requirements, such as living in the country for a long time and having family members who would suffer if they were deported.
- Adjustment of Status: Applying for a green card from within the U.S., often based on family ties or other factors.
For more information about the immigration court process, readers can visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review.
The Backlog in Immigration Courts
One of the biggest challenges for families like the Emanets is the huge backlog in immigration courts. In New Jersey alone, there are more than 220,000 pending cases. This means that it can take years for a case to be resolved. Emine’s next hearing is set for early April 2025, while Celal’s is scheduled for May 2025. Their attorney is appealing to have both cases heard together, but even this process can take a long time.
Community Support for the Emanet Family
After Emine Emanet was detained, the local community rallied around the family. Residents of Haddon Township organized letter-writing campaigns and public demonstrations to show their support. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $327,000 by mid-March 2025 to help the family with legal fees and living expenses.
Local officials also spoke out in support of the Emanets:
- Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. called the incident “appalling” and said it showed how broken the immigration system is.
- Haddon Township Mayor Randall Teague described Jersey Kebab as a “pillar” of the community and praised the family’s involvement in local charity drives.
- Camden County Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, whose parents immigrated from Cuba, said, “There is no reason for people to be incarcerated when they’re waiting to get their documents in order.”
- U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross’s office also got involved, with his Chief of Staff Mary Campbell saying, “The idea that a family can legally come to the United States, run a business, and give back to their local community, that is the American dream.”
Impact on Jersey Kebab and the Family’s Future
Since the arrest on February 25, Jersey Kebab has remained closed. Celal Emanet has said the family does not plan to reopen the restaurant until after Ramadan, which ended on March 29, 2025. The family has also talked about hosting an event to thank the community for their support.
When Emine was released, the restaurant’s Instagram page posted, “The QUEEN has returned,” and thanked everyone for their support: “Your love and support have been our light at the end of this dark tunnel.” Emine herself expressed deep gratitude, saying, “I’m so happy… you really truly realize the value of everybody around us, whether it is our friends, and the fact that… the time that we have on this earth is very limited.”
Broader Immigration Enforcement Trends
The Emanet family’s case is happening during a time of increased immigration enforcement under President Trump, who returned to office in January 2025. The administration has said it will focus on deporting people who are considered the “worst first,” meaning those with criminal records or who pose a threat to public safety. However, data from NBC News shows that in the first two weeks of February 2025, more than 1,800 people detained by ICE had no criminal convictions or pending charges. This group made up 41% of the 4,422 new detainees during that time.
ICE has said that its authority under Title 8 of the U.S. Code allows it to enforce immigration laws, especially in cases involving national security, public safety, or transnational crime. The agency also says that its officers make decisions on a case-by-case basis, focusing on the greatest threats to homeland security.
Legal Pathways and What Comes Next
Attorney Joseph Best, who represents the Emanet family, has said that federal immigration law gives them ways to fix their situation and ask for relief from removal in court. This could include applying for asylum, cancellation of removal, or adjustment of status based on family ties or other reasons.
The family’s son, Muhammed Emanet, has said he hopes their case will help others in similar situations: “We’re just so grateful to be in the position to where we can be a voice for the people that are suffering with the same immigration status as well alongside my mother because there are a lot of people that are suffering much worse than us so we just pray for them as well.”
How the Immigration System Affects Real People
The story of Emine Emanet and Jersey Kebab is not unique. Many families who come to the United States 🇺🇸 legally find themselves in difficult situations when their visas expire or their applications for permanent residency are delayed or denied. The immigration system is often slow and confusing, with long waits for court hearings and decisions.
For business owners like the Emanets, these delays can mean closing their businesses, losing income, and facing uncertainty about their future. For their communities, it can mean losing valued neighbors and local businesses.
What Can Immigrants Do in Similar Situations?
If you or someone you know is facing a similar situation, here are some steps to consider:
- Consult an experienced immigration attorney. Legal help is important for understanding your options and preparing your case.
- Stay informed about your case status. Check with the immigration court and USCIS for updates.
- Gather documents. Keep records of your entry, visa status, and any applications you have filed.
- Seek community support. Local organizations and advocacy groups can offer help with legal fees, housing, and emotional support.
- Know your rights. You have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge and to be represented by an attorney (at your own expense).
For official information on immigration forms and processes, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
Key Takeaways for Stakeholders
- Immigrants: The Emanet family’s case shows the importance of keeping legal status up to date and seeking legal help as soon as possible. Even if you entered the country legally, falling out of status can lead to detention and removal proceedings.
- Employers and Business Owners: Immigration issues can affect your ability to run your business and support your family. Community support can make a big difference during tough times.
- Community Members: Supporting neighbors facing immigration challenges helps keep communities strong and united.
- Policymakers: The backlog in immigration courts and the impact of enforcement actions on families and businesses highlight the need for reforms that make the system fairer and more efficient.
Looking Ahead
As the Emanet family waits for their next court hearings, they continue to rely on the support of their community and hope for a positive outcome. Their story is a reminder of the real-life impact of immigration policies and the importance of fair and timely decisions for families who have built their lives in the United States 🇺🇸.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, cases like that of Emine Emanet and Jersey Kebab are becoming more common as the immigration court backlog grows and enforcement actions increase. Many families find themselves in legal limbo for years, waiting for a chance to resolve their status and continue contributing to their communities.
Practical Steps for Those Facing Immigration Challenges
- File all required forms on time. For example, if you are applying for adjustment of status, use Form I-485 from the official USCIS website.
- Keep copies of all paperwork. This includes visa applications, court notices, and any letters from immigration authorities.
- Attend all court hearings and appointments. Missing a hearing can result in an automatic order of removal.
- Reach out for help. Many nonprofit organizations provide free or low-cost legal assistance to immigrants.
Conclusion
The ongoing immigration case of Emine Emanet, co-owner of Jersey Kebab, shines a light on the difficulties faced by many immigrants in the United States 🇺🇸. Despite entering the country legally and building a life and business, the Emanet family now faces years of uncertainty due to delays and backlogs in the immigration system. Their story, marked by strong community support and ongoing legal battles, underscores the need for a fairer and more efficient immigration process that recognizes the contributions of immigrants to their communities.
For those in similar situations, seeking legal advice, staying informed, and building community support are key steps in facing the challenges of the U.S. immigration system. The Emanet family’s experience serves as both a warning and a source of hope for others navigating the same difficult path.
Learn Today
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. agency enforcing immigration laws and detaining undocumented immigrants.
R-1 Visa → Temporary U.S. visa for religious workers entering to perform religious duties.
Green Card → Permanent residency authorization allowing immigrants to live and work legally in the U.S.
Removal Proceedings → Legal process where a judge decides if a non-citizen must leave the U.S.
Adjustment of Status → Process to apply for lawful permanent residency while remaining in the U.S.
This Article in a Nutshell
Emine Emanet’s ICE detention spotlights immigration system delays affecting families like hers in New Jersey. Community support grew, yet legal battles and court backlogs threaten their future. Their story reveals challenges immigrants face despite living and working legally for years in the U.S.
— By VisaVerge.com
