The owner of a Collingswood restaurant has been held at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark since late July, after immigration authorities took him into custody during what his family describes as a scheduled, lawyer-accompanied appointment.
Iemad Saifo, 65, founder of Zena’s American Mediterranean Cuisine and Catering, arrived at the Department of Homeland Security office in Mount Laurel on July 31 alongside his attorney and two of his adult children. His attorney emerged from the meeting and told the family Saifo was being detained, according to 6abc.
A Long-Pending Citizenship Case
Saifo emigrated to the United States from Syria in 2002 on a B1/B2 visitor visa, according to reporting by NJ Pen. His citizenship application has remained pending for years despite what his family describes as consistent legal compliance and representation by multiple attorneys over time. His wife and all four of his children hold legal status in the country.
About ten days before the July 31 appointment, Saifo received written notice directing him to report to the Mount Laurel DHS office. His daughter, Zena Saifo, told 6abc that the family had no reason to anticipate what happened. She said the feeling in that moment was beyond description…