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New Jersey Community Rallies Around Turkish Restaurant Owners Facing Deportation
In the bustling town of Collingswood, New Jersey, Jersey Kebab has become more than just a place to enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine. The restaurant, known for its flavorful shawarma, falafel wraps, and baklava, has transformed into a symbol of community solidarity in the face of America’s contentious immigration policies.
Since February 2023, when federal officers detained owners Celal and Emine Emanet due to expired visas, local residents have rallied around the Turkish couple in an extraordinary display of support. The community’s response has been so overwhelming that business has actually improved, enabling the family to relocate to a larger space in a neighboring town.
The Emanets’ journey to America began in 2000 when Celal, now 52, first arrived to learn English while pursuing his doctorate in Islamic history. He returned in 2008 as an imam at a southern New Jersey mosque, bringing Emine and their two children with him. The family later welcomed two more children born on American soil.
While serving as an imam, Celal developed a side business delivering bread to diners. The couple applied for permanent residency and believed they were progressing toward receiving green cards. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted their delivery service in 2020, they leveraged their restaurant experience from Turkey to open Jersey Kebab in Haddon Township, which quickly gained popularity.
Their lives changed dramatically on February 25 when U.S. marshals and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested the couple at their restaurant. While Celal was released with an ankle monitor, Emine, 47, spent 15 days in a detention facility over an hour away. The restaurant temporarily closed as the family dealt with the crisis.
“They were not dangerous people — not the type of people we were told on TV they were looking to remove from our country,” Haddon Township Mayor Randy Teague remarked, reflecting the sentiment of many local residents. The arrests signaled to many in this predominantly Democratic area that immigration enforcement during the Trump administration wasn’t limited to those with criminal backgrounds.
The community response was swift and powerful. Supporters organized a vigil and raised an impressive $300,000 to help the family cover living expenses and legal bills while the restaurant remained closed. Members of Congress intervened on their behalf, and hundreds of customers wrote letters supporting the family.
As news of the Emanets’ situation spread throughout the Philadelphia suburb, Jersey Kebab began attracting both loyal patrons and new customers eager to show their support. The surge in business prompted the family to relocate to a larger space in Collingswood late last year, where they expanded their menu to include breakfast items and hired additional staff beyond their son Muhammed.
Despite the change in location, the restaurant maintains its commitment to community service with a sign in the window offering free meals to those in need—a reflection of Muslim values emphasizing care for “anybody who has less than us,” according to Muhammed.
The legal battle for the Emanets continues. Celal faces a deportation hearing in March, with Emine and Muhammed expected to have hearings eventually. The prospect of returning to Turkey is particularly concerning for Celal, who fears political persecution due to his academic articles criticizing the Turkish government. Additionally, the couple’s younger children, who don’t speak Turkish, would face significant challenges adjusting to life there. One child with autism relies on specialized support services available in the U.S.
“If they deport me, I am going to get very big problems,” Celal explained, highlighting the potential dangers awaiting him in Turkey due to his political views.
For regular customers like Judy Kubit and Linda Rey, dining at Jersey Kebab has become an act of solidarity. The friends first visited after an anti-Trump rally last year and returned recently amid news of immigration crackdowns in Minneapolis.
Through their ordeal, the Emanets have found strength in the community’s unwavering support. “We’re kind of fighting for our right to stay in the country,” Muhammed reflected, “while still having amazing support from the community behind us. So we’re all in it together.”
Their story illustrates the complex human impact of immigration policies and how one community has chosen to respond with compassion rather than division.
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7 Comments
While immigration policies must be upheld, the Emanets’ case demonstrates the need for a more nuanced approach that considers the human impact. I hope their situation can lead to positive change.
It’s heartening to see the community rally around the Emanet family. Deportation policies can have devastating impacts on local businesses and families. I hope the authorities take the community’s support into consideration.
Businesses like Jersey Kebab are the backbone of local economies. I hope the authorities can find a way to allow the Emanets to continue serving their community without the threat of deportation looming over them.
The Emanets’ story highlights the complexities of America’s immigration system. While the rules must be followed, there seems to be room for compassion and flexibility, especially for long-time residents contributing to their communities.
This case underscores the importance of comprehensive immigration reform that can provide pathways to citizenship for hardworking families like the Emanets. Their story speaks to the human side of these complex policy debates.
It’s encouraging to see the Emanets’ business thriving despite the challenges. Their story highlights the valuable contributions immigrant-owned enterprises make to local communities.
The community’s support for the Emanets is admirable. I hope their story can inspire more towns to rally behind local businesses and immigrant families facing deportation threats.