We were sent this letter today, said to regard Murat (that’s him in Brittney Gilbert‘s video above), of the Amuse Bouche cart.
We can’t emphasize enough that none of this is verified. So, please, as much as we’d love to tell you this is fact, we can’t until we know more. To that point, if you have more info, please do let us know.
Dear Friends,
Yesterday morning Murat was picked up from our house and carried off in handcuffs by two officers from Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). His crime? Having overstayed his Visa Waiver Program which allows European citizens 90 days to stay in the U.S. There are millions of visa waiver overstays in the US right now, and it has not so far been a policy of Homeland Security to pursue such cases, especially ones with NO criminal records or offenses, like Murat. This plus he is married to a U.S. citizen and we were about to file for a green card.
Right now Murat is being held at 630 Sansome St and they are getting ready to deport him back to France TODAY. We (myself and our attorney) are filing a Deferral of Action Request to keep him here. What those of you in the MEDIA can do to help us, is call the ICE office, tell them who you are with, and ask about what is going on in his case, making it clear that you are informed and involved. You are likely to get a voicemail box so just leave a message. Non-media friends, please help us out with your thoughts.
The number for ICE Detention and Removal Operations: 415-844-5512
Thank you SO much, I will keep all updated.
Pelin Celebi-Ariner
