NJ community raises thousands of dollars for couple detained in ICE raid

HADDON TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- Community members have raised thousands of dollars for a New Jersey couple that was detained by ICE agents after a raid on their restaurant.

Emine and Celal Emanet, the owners of Jersey Kebab at in Haddon Twp., were taken into custody Tuesday morning.

"I was so much nervous, but I didn't do anything wrong," Celal told Action News on Wednesday evening.

Celal said he and his wife were taken to a nearby facility to update their file.

However, hours later, a decision was made to send his wife to a detention center in North Jersey, while he was sent home with an ankle monitor to care for their one son who has autism.

After 24 hours apart, Celal had a chance to speak with his wife over the phone Wednesday night.

"She was crying a lot. It was unbelievable," he said.

Community members have raised thousands of dollars for a couple that was detained by ICE agents after a raid on their restaurant on Tuesday.

The couple moved to the U.S. from Turkey in 2008 and raised their children in New Jersey.

Celal said he had been granted an R1 visa, which allows religious workers to temporarily work in the US.Before the visa expired, he said he applied for a green card.

"They denied one time, and we appealed it. They denied second time, and we appealed," he explained. "And the third time, when we appealed the case, they hold it."

Because of this, Celal said his family's immigration status has been pending since 2016.

The couple's oldest son, Muhammed, said, "We've been living in this fear for the last 15 years and we're tired of it."

The couple has owned their restaurant for five years and were known for helping the community. They have a sign on their door that says 'Free to anyone with a disability or homeless or simply cannot afford it.'

"We're meant to share everything that we have, so what we have is plenty of food, so we try to share everything," said Muhammed.

But now there is a closed sign on the door, leaving customers outraged.

"What happened today doesn't make me feel safer in my community. It doesn't make me feel like justice is being served. It makes me feel confused and honestly pretty upset," said Jenna Murray, a customer who lives in Collingswood.

Now, the community is trying to help. A GoFundMe page set up lateTuesday night raised more than $170,000 byWednesday night. The organizer said it's because the couple deserves it.

"I know that people need help in these situations, and that the community can be rallied to provide that support and lift people up," said Lori Leonard.

ICE officials have not commented on the arrests.