The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) joined the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) in a demonstration against the planned opening of an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.
Nearly 200 people attended the rally Tuesday afternoon outside the proposed site for the detention center known as Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark – sending one clear message of solidarity and unity: ICE has not place in New Jersey.
SEE Protest held against reopening ICE immigration detention center in Newark
In a statement, CAIR-New Jersey Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“CAIR-New Jersey joined the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice to condemn the racist and dehumanizing policies implemented by the Trump administration.
The expansion of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on our own turf threatens the safety of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans. Nearly 25% of New Jersey’s population are immigrants. ICE has no place here.
The planned opening of the Delaney Hall Facility in Newark threatens to further enable the agency’s abusive practices, including the targeting of activists, families, and even lawful residents with no criminal record.
CAIR-New Jersey calls on federal officials, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately halt the opening of the Delaney Hall Detention Facility. We urge local and state representatives to publicly oppose the facility and advocate for policies that prioritize the rights and dignity of immigrants.”
SEE: [Immigrant advocates demonstrate in front of soon-to-open Newark detention center]Immigrant advocates demonstrate in front of soon-to-open Newark detention center
The demonstration came after the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a February 26 statement that the opening of the 1,000-bed facility is “imminent,” sparking outrage among communities and organizers.
On the same day ICE made that announcement, ICE agents raided Jersey Kebab, a local business in Haddon Township, New Jersey, and arrested its owners, Celal and Emine Emanet, citing unresolved immigration status issues. The Emanet family has been waiting for years for their green card status to be resolved and has no criminal record. Emine, who is currently held at the Elizabeth Detention Center, is the primary caregiver for her 15-year-old child with autism and a pillar of her community.
Meanwhile, ICE also detained Mahmoud Khalil –a lawful permanent U.S. resident– and is currently seeking to revoke his green card. Khalil served as a negotiator between student protesters and Columbia University administration. His arrest coincides with the Trump administration’s recent announcement to revoke visas and green cards of individuals it deems “Hamas supporters,” raising concerns about the targeting of activists based on their political beliefs.
“Mahmoud Khalil’s detention is something we would’ve read about in newspapers dominated by authoritarian regimes. It’s shameful and quite embarrassing. At the same time, it spotlights the glaring injustices Palestinians and Arabs face when speaking up compared with their white counter parts. His detention should unsettle everyone when they see the US government punishing people who hold views that honor humanity and peace over war and despicable violence,” said CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-New Jersey Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482