Democratic Activists of Metuchen is a coalition of concerned citizens on key social justice topics facing our state and nation.

Immigrant Justice – The story of Sener Kalkan & Jenn Poandl

My name is Jenn Poandl, my husband is Sener Kalkan and I am here to bring light to what has happened to an immigrant, my husband and your neighbor. I was born and raised in Metuchen and Sener and I were married on August 23, 2025.

Sener and I met in the digital age, online through Facebook. He was working 7 days a week in Oak Ridge, NJ about an hour, although more with traffic, north. We worked around this and were able to meet on February 6, sparks flew and we quickly connected. He was very honest with me about his situation and I was honest about mine. He was stabbed in high school and persecuted for his Kurdish heritage and Alevi sect of religion in the Muslim faith. He came from Turkey through Mexico after making the decision to leave his family with his brothers soon to follow.

We navigated our relationship like any couple and were engaged Christmas Day 2024. Sener is a kind and generous person who believes in human rights and dignity. He is constantly giving sadaka – donating his time, energy, and resources to many causes. When we first were meeting, there was an earthquake in Turkey. He donated money to them immediately even though he was in an unknown situation himself. I have watched him give $500 and groceries to a single struggling mom he works with at Amazon, and countless people he has seen on the streets.

December 1, 2025 was the day my husband was rescheduled for his credibility of fear interview in Newark as part of his immigration process. As I waited anxiously for him, my phone rang to the news that Sener had been granted a positive decision on his credibility of fear interview and given a trial date May 2028, however after the person left, three ICE agents came and detained him. Another person came on the phone to explain to me that his court case may be changed and that he was now being held at Delaney Hall.

Call Your Legislators

This horrible situation is one that so many of residents are facing and a truly inhumane set of policies & enforcement practices. He is a face among many at the facility at Delaney Hall with similar stories. I will say we all want one thing – to be with our loved ones this holiday season.

Call upon our District 18 (state) and District 6 legislators and let them know about Sener’s case.
Legislative Contact Sheet (State D18 and Federal D6)

Sample Email and/or Phone Script

Congressman Pallone’s office has been engaged on the situation. Script for Congressman Pallone

To Rep Pallone,
Thank you for your advocacy on Sener Kalkan and his timely release from Delaney Hall to be reunited with his wife and Metuchen community. We are encouraged by your work here and hope you continue to advocate for him and help draw much needed attention to the broken immigration process and inhumane conditions at Delaney Hall. As a constituent, I am encouraged by your efforts and would encourage you to call on other leaders to help their constituents in the same way.

Regards,
Name [cite district]

Script to Federal (priority outreach) and State legislators:
Federal Legislators: Hi [Senator Booker, Senator Kim]
State Legislators: Hi [Senator Diegnan/Assemblyman Karabinchak, Assemblyman Stanley],

I am contacting you about Sener Kalkan, a neighbor and resident in Metuchen, NJ who is currently in ICE Detention at Delaney Hall in Newark. Sener is married to an American Citizen and although he passed various immigration benchmarks was unexpectedly detained on December 1st in Newark.

Please help us (i) ensuring that Sener remains in New Jersey while in custody and (ii) in advocating for a release of Sener through an Immigration Bond as his court case is pending. He has been an upstanding resident with financial stability, family support and is not a flight risk or risk to the community.

I would also encourage you or your staff to visit Sener at Delaney Hall when you visit. The conditions there are deeply troubling for detainees and visitors and your advocacy in this matter is essential. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you in advance for your help.

Regards,
Name [cite district]

Ways to Help

There are about 1000 immigrants detained at Delaney Hall, which is run by the for-profit GEO group with a $1 billion contract for 15- year period.

Visit Delaney Hall
Please join community groups during visiting hours:
Saturday & Sunday from 6:30 am until 7:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday from 4-9 pm.

You can also join outside Delaney Hall for activist sessions:
Mondays from 9:30-10:30 am
Wednesdays & Fridays from 10 am-12 pm

Contact swrj.team@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer

Requested Items for Visitors (visitors often have to wait for hours in the cold with the families)
Kids Comfort & Activities: small stuffed animals, action figures, rubber ducks, small toy cars, glow sticks, candy, stickers.
Whistles: Help our neighbors alert the neighborhood when ICE is near
Diapers & Wipes: Immediate diaper needs are sizes 5, 6, 7
Stadium or Camp Blankets: New stadium or camp blankets or similar smaller, throw-sized blankets
Hand & Feet Warmers
Winter Outerwear: Gloves, hats, scarves; priority are adult sizes (must be new)
Grocery Gift Card: $10 and $20 denominations to Shop Rite, Walmart etc. These are distributed to family members of detainees who may be financially struggling as their loved ones are in custody

Community Groups to Support
Cosecha NJ
Pax Christi NJ
First Friends of NY & NJ
Action 21
DIRE