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The Hunterdon County dad, a popular pickleball instructor, restaurant server, and father of two, was taken into custody by ICE on Wednesday, March 12, during what was supposed to be a standard appointment to renew his work authorization, family friend Rachel Mascitelli said.
Officials at the office told Daoud that there had been a mistake. They sent him to ICE, where he was apprehended and told he was being deported.
And that’s all they were given," Mascitelli said.
Immediately after taking office, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14159, "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," which focuses on removing undocumented immigrants, especially those with criminal records or final deportation orders. It also directs federal agencies to identify unregistered individuals, collect fines, cut off public benefits, and increase enforcement through local and federal partnerships for undocumented citizens.
Daoud, who moved to the U.S. from Egypt in 2004 on a tourist visa, has lived in New Jersey for nearly 20 years. He fell in love, got married — his wife, Jen, is a U.S. citizen — and built a life as a husband, father, and familiar face in the Hunterdon County community.
“Immediately, you could tell — he’s the guy who’d give you the shirt off his back,” Mascitelli said. “People knew his name. He always had an ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on. He’s the kindest, most generous, upstanding citizen.”
For years, Daoud has held valid work authorization and completed the paperwork required to keep it. This year’s renewal, they thought, would be no different.
Instead, he ended up at the Elizabeth Detention Center — and nearly on a bus to California.
“He was in line to be transferred out of state,” Mascitelli said. “And then Congressman Andy Kim stepped in. He personally called Jen, and whatever his office did, it made sure Karim wouldn’t leave.”
Karim Daoud and his wife, Jen.
Other local leaders — including Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. Roy Freiman, Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis, and Congressman Tom Kean — have also been made aware of Daoud’s case. Family and supporters say it’s a rare one, and that they’re doing everything they can to keep him in New Jersey and reunite him with his wife and kids.
In the meantime, Mascitelli launched a GoFundMe that has raised more than $50,000 as of Monday, March 31.
“The amount of money raised speaks to the kind of man he is,” she said. “He’s incredible and multifaceted. A father, a coach, someone active in the lives of his kids and the lives of so many people here.”
Karim Daoud
At home, Jen is holding it together — as best she can. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and one of their children is battling ulcerative colitis.
“She is doing better than I think I could,” Mascitelli said. “She’s working around the clock, writing letters, sending paperwork, fighting to bring Karim home. And through it all, she’s still being an incredible mom and wife. Their relationship is beautiful. They are truly good people.”
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