Beloved chef released after spending nearly month in ICE detention facility in Newark
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- A restaurant owner from New Jersey walked out of an ICE detention facility in Newark after being held there for weeks.
He's been in the United States for decades, and has a work visa that was just renewed a year ago, but only after spending nearly a month in immigration detention at Newark's Delaney Hall, Ruperto Vicens Marquez is finally home.
"Really happy to get out and grateful for everything," Vicens Marquez said.
He's especially grateful to his community of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, where people attended rally after rally, demanding the beloved chef be released from the facility.
Vicens Marquez shares a pair of restaurants with his brother, Emilio. His brother says customers helped him get through the last four weeks without his right hand man.
"Many times, people were waiting so long. And I was so embarrassed but there was nothing I could do, so I was apologizing with the people," Emilio Vicens Marquez said. "And most of the times I hear, 'don't worry Emilio. We know your situation. We can wait.'"
Ruperto Vicens Marquez, originally from Mexico, was pulled over on his way to work on Oct. 19, and was detained with someone else who was suspected of an immigration violation.
But the restaurant owner has been a legal resident of the U.S. since he was 18, and has work permit that was renewed last year and is valid through 2028.
"When I got detained, none of that seemed to matter. It was just like, 'you're coming with us.' It happened just really quickly," he said.
He spoke to Eyewitness News after getting home Tuesday night, and says his wife and three kids were thrilled.
"That was the first thing. When I came, they jumped in my arms," he said. "We were hugging. They were really excited that I'm back and we have the family."
The community is outraged that the 38-year-old with no criminal record, couldn't explain his situation and verify his status with a judge until Monday.
The brothers say they're working toward citizenship and have tried to take every step the right way, and can understand why so many immigrants like them are now fearful.
"Seems like whatever we do, we pay fees, we spend time, we pay taxes. So much money in taxes. We also hire people. We help other people, and nothing counts," Emilio Vicens Marquez said.
Ruperto Vicens Marquez's case continues, and one of the things he had to explain to the judge was an arrest 15 years ago for a non-violent incident in which he was never convicted.
As he and his brother Emilio pursue citizenship in the future, he says right now he wants to get back in the kitchen at his restaurant, which doesn't feel like work.
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