‘He Did Exactly What Was Asked Of Him’: Metuchen Resident Detained By ICE, Mayor Says

METUCHEN, NJ — A Metuchen resident who was working through the steps of his legal immigration process has been detained by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), Metuchen Mayor Jonathan M. Busch said.

Sener Kalkan, whose wife Jennifer Poandl is a Metuchen native, was detained two weeks ago after he appeared in Newark for a scheduled hearing as part of his immigration process, Busch said.

After he attended the hearing, passed his scheduled interview, and was given a future court date, he and his wife stepped out to lunch.

When he returned to pick up paperwork, Kalkan was detained by ICE officials while his wife waited in the lobby, Busch said. According to Busch, Kalkan fled persecution in Turkey tied to his Kurdish heritage and faith before coming to New Jersey.

“He did exactly what was asked of him,” Busch said. “...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.”

In a statement sent to Patch, an ICE spokesperson said Kalkan came to the U.S. in May 2022 under "catch and release" policies.

"Catch and release" is a term often used to describe the process where certain immigrants are apprehended and released from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody pending their immigration court proceedings.

"Sener Kalkan is an illegal alien from Türkiye who illegally entered the United States in May 2022, under the Biden administration’s disastrous 'catch and release' policies," the spokesperson said. "Kalkan is currently detained at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey, pending immigration proceedings."

In an email to Patch, Busch described the language used in ICE's statement as "inflammatory and unnecessary" and said it does nothing to acknowledge the impact on Kalkan's family.

"The language used in ICE’s response is inflammatory and unnecessary," Busch said. "It does nothing to acknowledge the real human impact on a Metuchen family that followed the process and is now facing profound uncertainty. Our concern is not rhetoric, but ensuring fairness, dignity, and due process.”

Since arriving in the U.S., Busch said Kalkan has “worked continuously, supported others whenever he could, and lived his life with generosity and dignity."

After marrying Poandl over the summer, Busch said the couple were following the rules of a system “they believed would treat them fairly."

• Related: Detainee Population Surges At ICE Prison In NJ After It Reopens Under Trump

“Sener’s story is one of perseverance and kindness,” Busch said. “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.”

“We are working with Congressman Pallone and his office to better understand what options may be available to support Sener and Jennifer as they navigate a complex and difficult process,” Busch continued. “Metuchen will always be a community that looks out for and supports its neighbors.”

In a statement sent to Patch, Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) said that it was "outrageous" that Kalkan was taking steps to resolve his status legally but was detained anyway.

"Arresting someone at a routine check-in undermines basic trust in the system and discourages people from engaging in the exact legal process the government claims to support," Pallone said.

"I am demanding answers from the Trump Administration about why a Metuchen family is being put through this unnecessary trauma," Pallone continued. "My office has already reached out to ICE and will continue working to ensure Mr. Kalkan receives fair treatment and due process."

Editor's Note: This article was updated with statements from Congressman Pallone, Mayor Jonathan Busch and ICE.

Related

• Detainee Population Surges At ICE Prison In NJ After It Reopens Under Trump
• Prisons, Profits, Protests: Controversy Rages Over ICE Detention Center In New Jersey
• Essex Commissioners Demand Action At Controversial ICE Prison: ‘You Should Be Ashamed’