A South Jersey business owner detained by federal immigration authorities two weeks ago has been reunited with her family.
Emine Emanet walked free from the Elizabeth Detention Center on Wednesday, after a judge this week ruled she could be released on a $7,500 bond. Her husband, oldest son, and friends met her in the parking lot with hugs and bouquets of flowers.
Emine Emanet and her husband, Celal Emanet, were swept up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in February while working at Jersey Kebab, the restaurant they’ve owned in Haddon Township for the last five years. Celal was released that day with an ankle monitor to care for one of their children, but Emine was held.
The Emanet family came to the U.S. legally from Turkey in 2008 on an R-1 visa. They say they applied for green cards before the visa expired but their immigration status has been pending since 2016. Their case has outraged their South Jersey community — neighbors started a GoFundMe to support their legal fight, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Emine Emanet told reporters Wednesday the family will reopen their Jersey Kebab restaurant after she spends time with her kids and grandkids.
