Senator Zwicker Advocates For NJ Dad Detained By ICE Who Faces Deportation

FLEMINGTON, NJ — Almost a month later, Karim Daoud of Flemington, who is a father, husband, and friend, remains detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"To be clear, Mr. Daoud has never committed a crime. He was an active and beloved member of Flemington's community. His wife is a U.S. citizen who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. They have a 10-year-old daughter who is currently without their father. Her mom is without her husband, and they are both without their provider, caregiver, and complete uncertainty about their future," said Senator Andrew Zwicker (District 16) on Monday.

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

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.

On Monday, the Free Karim Facebook page said that, "unfortunately there is not much movement on Karim's case right now. We understand that this is frustrating to hear, and cannot imagine how Karim must be feeling with no answers. Unfortunately, that's part of what makes this process so hard is that nothing happens quickly and these matters do take time."

Last week, a letter written by Daoud was shared on his social page thanking the community for rallying behind him and his family.

"Your support made me focus on making the best out of my time here. Finding a much higher purpose. I feel I was brought here to comfort the inmates, help them connect with their families and their lawyers," wrote Daoud.

He added that he is helping the inmates translate some of their paperwork and court orders.

He said he is also helping "to make the officers and the guards' jobs a bit easier by breaking some of the language barriers."

ICE issued a statement about Daoud’s detention:

"Karim Ahmed Daoud Mahmoud Salem, a native and citizen of Egypt, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Mar. 12 for violating U.S. immigration laws. Daoud is currently detained at the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and is pending removal from the United States.

"U.S. immigration laws allow aliens to pursue relief from removal; and, Mr. Daoud has exhausted all due process and appeals and is now subject to a final order of removal from an immigration judge. ICE must carry out removal orders," according to the statement.

"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is in a unique position to enforce immigration laws of the United States in the nation’s interior with its broad investigatory authorities and law enforcement capabilities. All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removed from the U.S., regardless of nationality," according to the statement.

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

The fundraiser has since raised more than $86,000.

"Across New Jersey and around the United States, we continue to hear stories of residents, often longtime community members, with no criminal record being unlawfully detained, transferred, or deported without proper notice or access to legal counsel," said Zwicker. "It is shocking that this is where we are right now in the United States of America. Standing up against the Trump administration's blatant violation of due process is essential for my constituents, neighbors, the people in my district to feel safe, protected, and free."

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