In a shocking case that highlights the potential weaponisation of immigration enforcement, a Manhattan construction executive has been deported to Ireland following allegations that his long-term partner reported him to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid a bitter dispute over their multi-million dollar Tribeca apartment.
A Relationship Unravels Amid Renovation Stress
Patrick Moran, 46, an expert in conservation and preservation who has overseen projects for Carnegie Hall and the American Museum of Natural History, and Nicholas Kjos, 45, a high-end real estate broker, had been in a relationship for two decades when their partnership began to fracture during the extensive renovation of their $4.3 million Tribeca triplex.
According to civil court filings reviewed by The Independent, the couple's arguments escalated to the point where Kjos allegedly called Moran a "f**king immigrant" and threatened to contact ICE to have him deported. Moran initially attributed these outbursts to the stress of the four-year renovation project and continued to believe in their relationship.
Legal Proceedings Turn to Immigration Enforcement
The situation deteriorated further when Kjos initiated legal proceedings to have Moran removed from their shared home. These actions allegedly prompted a team of eight armed ICE officers to arrive at their Tribeca apartment last summer, detaining Moran for deportation proceedings.
Moran spent the following month being transferred between various detention facilities across the United States before ultimately being returned to Ireland. His attorney, Andreas Vasilatos, described the situation as one where "ICE was weaponized against him," drawing a disturbing comparison to organised crime tactics.
Allegations of Property Motives Behind Deportation
The legal complaint filed on Moran's behalf alleges that his deportation was part of a calculated plot "intended to exploit [Moran's] immigration status" with the ultimate goal of "wrongfully obtaining sole control, ownership and possession of the property."
Speaking from the UK, Moran expressed his devastation, stating: "I love [the United States] and what it stands for, and I know we are better than this. I don't claim to have the solution to immigration reform, but whatever that solution is, it must be fair, just and enforced with compassion and humanity."
A Pattern of 'Revenge Tips' to Immigration Authorities
This case emerges during a period of unprecedented expansion in ICE's remit, with more than 73,000 people currently in immigration detention – representing a 75 percent increase in the twelve months since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
Immigration officials have reported receiving increasing numbers of "revenge tips" from individuals reporting neighbours, ex-spouses, or former partners. Between January and September 2025, the US deported 99 Irish citizens – a 50 percent increase compared to the previous year and a staggering 1,880 percent increase over the five people deported to Ireland in 2021.
Twenty Years of Shared Life and Financial Entanglement
Moran and Kjos were introduced by a mutual friend in 2005 and quickly developed a romantic relationship described in legal documents as "characterised by mutual love and commitment." They shared holidays at Kjos's family ranch in Texas, attended weddings together, and Moran became godfather to Kjos's nephew.
Financially, Moran – who earned over $300,000 annually – served as the "primary financial provider" for the couple. He funded down payments for luxury vehicles including a Range Rover, Mercedes, and Porsche to support Kjos's real estate business, which "emphasized image."
Property Complications Due to Immigration Status
Due to Moran's undocumented immigration status, properties they purchased together – including a $400,000 apartment in San Antonio and their Tribeca triplex – were titled solely in Kjos's name, though both were understood to be joint assets for their mutual benefit.
When renovation costs began to soar in 2024, the couple agreed to sell both properties and part ways. However, as the Tribeca renovation neared completion, Kjos allegedly demanded Moran move out for staging and sale while claiming the local market was weak – assertions contradicted by professional valuations estimating the renovated space could command approximately $4.3 million.
The Arrest and Aftermath
On October 31, 2025, Kjos allegedly used his Control4 phone app to remotely unlock their apartment door, allowing eight armed ICE officers to enter and detain Moran. The officers searched the property but found no contraband or evidence supporting Kjos's claims that Moran had been selling methamphetamine – allegations Moran vehemently denies, stating he has no criminal history whatsoever.
After approximately four weeks in ICE custody, culminating in a stint at a San Diego facility, Moran was permitted to "self-deport" back to Ireland on a ticket purchased by his parents. He is now attempting to rebuild his life from afar while pursuing legal action against Kjos to recover his share of their joint assets and gain joint custody of their Bernedoodle, Benji.
Reflections on Immigration Detention and American Values
Moran, who has lived more years in the US than in his native Ireland, described his experience in ICE detention as transformative, giving him perspective on the challenges faced by others in the system. "Don't get me wrong, it was hard for me, but it was so much harder for pretty much everybody that I spoke to in there," he reflected.
Despite his ordeal, Moran maintains his belief in American values and hopes to eventually resume his life in New York, which he considers his true home. "I will bounce back, and that's because America will allow me to do that," he stated. "That's why I love it there. But I don't know. It just seems like there has to be a better way than the current system."
Kjos, who now has full possession of the Tribeca apartment, did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding the allegations. The case continues to unfold in Manhattan Supreme Court as Moran seeks justice and the restoration of what he believes to be his rightful share of the life and assets he built over two decades.
