NJ Dad Detained By ICE After Living In U.S. For 20 Years, Fundraiser Started For Family

FLEMINGTON, NJ — The community is rallying behind a Hunterdon County father, husband, and friend, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last month.

After living in the U.S. for the past 20 years, Karim Daoud of Flemington was detained after an appointment to pick up documents to fulfill his work authorization requirement and to remain in the United States, according to a Facebook page Free Karim set up to support him.

On March 12, Daoud went to the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office where he was informed that there had been a mistake and he had to go to ICE.

Once at the Newark ICE facility, Daoud was apprehended.

"He had gone there willingly under the pretense of clearing up a 'mistake'. Let that sink in," according to his social page.

Daoud has remained in the detention center in NJ ever since and is now slated to be moved across the country, "making it harder for his lawyer and his family to fight his case and bring him home: where he belongs."

A GoFundMe was set up by longtime friend Rachel Mascitelli for Daoud's wife, Jenn Metz, to go towards Daoud's legal fees to help bring him home.

"Remember, this man is not a criminal and has NO criminal record. He has lived in the United States for more than 20 years and in those 20 years, he has always worked, paid taxes, and helped his community in every way he can. He deserves to be with his family. They deserve to have him," according to the GoFundMe.

Since the fundraiser was started three days ago it has raised almost $70,000.

"Anyone who knows Karim knows his undying love for the United States, that he is a loving husband, an incredibly devoted father, and a well-loved and upstanding community member. One can even see T-shirts and cars with bumper stickers around Flemington with his face on them, accompanied by a simple statement that sums Karim up well, 'Be Kind'," according to Free Karim.

Supporters of Daoud are also asked to call, email, and write local representatives, requesting they bring him home to his family.

The Newark field office is located at 970 Broad Street, and processes federal detainees from across the state. Before New Jersey’s ban on ICE contracts took effect in 2021, hundreds of people were being arrested and deported from the Newark office every month. Read More: ICE In NJ Deported 500 People From Country In 3 Months, Feds Say

That number may be set to rise again if a plan to open a massive immigration detention center in the city comes to fruition.

Last month, ICE officials confirmed plans to “reopen” a 1,000-bed facility at Delaney Hall in Newark. It will be the first federal detention center to open under Trump’s second term. No specific date was released, but officials said the reopening is “imminent.”

• See Related: ICE Detention Center In NJ Is First To Open Under Trump's New Term
• See Related: Hundreds Protest Against Reopening ICE Detention Facility In Newark

— With reporting by Eric Kiefer

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