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Jersey Kebab CEO, married to US citizen, faces possible deportation: 'I was 15 years old, I had no say'
🇮🇳 India /Crime & Justice

Jersey Kebab CEO, married to US citizen, faces possible deportation: 'I was 15 years old, I had no say'

From Times of India · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • A Turkish-origin owner of Jersey Kebab faces possible deportation from the US for allegedly overstaying his visa since 2014.
  • Muhammad Emanet, 26, argues he was 15 and had no control over his family's visa status when it expired.
  • His deportation hearing is scheduled for July 2, with community support and a fundraising effort previously aiding his family's business.

Muhammad Emanet, the 26-year-old owner of Jersey Kebab in Collingswood, New Jersey, faces potential deportation to Turkey due to an alleged visa overstay dating back to 2014. The U.S. government is reportedly considering a proposal that would require him to apply for a Green Card from his home country, a move that has caused concern among visa holders.

They are asking me why we didn't deport in 2014, I was 15

— Muhammad EmanetEmanet explains his defense against accusations of visa overstay.

Emanet, whose family has a history of visa issues, argues that he was only 15 years old when their visas expired and had no agency in his family's decisions regarding their immigration status. "They are asking me why we didn't deport in 2014, I was 15," Emanet stated, emphasizing his lack of control at the time. He fears that if deported now, he could be barred from re-entering the U.S. for a decade.

I didn't have control of my family deporting

— Muhammad EmanetEmanet emphasizes his lack of agency as a minor regarding his family's immigration status.

The family's situation gained attention last year when Muhammad's parents were detained by the Trump administration for visa overstays. While his father was sent home with an ankle monitor, his mother was held in a detention facility for 15 days, forcing the kebab shop to close temporarily as she was the primary cook. The community rallied behind the Emanets, raising $300,000 to help keep the business afloat. Muhammad now serves as the CEO of Jersey Kebab.

I just try to be as optimistic as I can be about it man because as long as we’re living and breathing, you know there’s hope and I’m very hopeful that you know the truth will prevail one way or another

— Muhammad EmanetEmanet expresses his hope for a positive outcome in his deportation case.

Emanet's deportation hearing is scheduled for July 2, and he has one week to present his case to the government. He expressed a hopeful outlook, stating, "I just try to be as optimistic as I can be about it man because as long as we’re living and breathing, you know there’s hope." He also acknowledged the strong support from the South Jersey community, who he said see his family as "real human beings."

No matter if you do everything right in the proper way it can all still be taken away that easily.

— Muhammad EmanetEmanet reflects on the precariousness of his situation despite following procedures.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of India in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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