Metuchen resident arrested by ICE at immigration hearing

METUCHEN, N.J., Dec. 27 (ZFJ) — Metuchen resident Sener Kalkan was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said borough Mayor Jonathan Busch on social media.

Busch said that Kalkan, who is married to Metuchen native Jennifer Poandl, “appeared in Newark for a scheduled immigration hearing as part of his ongoing legal process” in early December.

Kalkan attended the hearing, passed his scheduled interview, received a future court date, and then went out for lunch with his wife.

When he returned to continue the process, ICE arrested him. He was being held in the Delaney Hall Detention Facility at the time of the mayor’s post on Dec. 15. It is uncertain when or if he can be released.

He is still in Delaney Hall as of Dec. 27, according to a ZFJ query of ICE’s online detainee locator system.

Kalkan fled Turkey because he was persecuted for his Kurdish faith and heritage. He was married this summer.

“Since arriving here, he has worked continuously, supported others whenever he could, and lived his life with generosity and dignity,” wrote Busch. “Those who know him describe someone who gives freely of his time, his resources, and his care for others even while navigating his own uncertainty.”

“No matter where one stands on immigration policy, it is hard not to feel the weight of this moment for a Metuchen family. A wife waiting in a lobby, expecting paperwork, and instead learning her husband would be taken away.”

Busch said that he is working with U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone’s office to see how they can support Kalkan and his wife.

References

• Mayor Jonathan M. Busch - @mayorjonathanbusch (Instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/p/DSSpnohkaYr/ We recently learned about the detention of one of our neighbors, Sener Kalkan.