Irish National Detained by ICE in Texas Appeals to Taoiseach for Urgent Intervention
An Irishman detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for more than four months in Texas has made a desperate plea for Ireland's Taoiseach to intervene in his case, describing the detention facility as resembling "a modern day concentration camp."
Extended Detention Despite Legal Status
Seamus Culleton, originally from County Kilkenny but residing in the United States for nearly two decades, holds a valid work permit and is married to a US citizen. Despite these legal standings, he has been held in the El Paso detention centre since September 2025 after being stopped while driving home from work.
Mr Culleton reported that ICE agents questioned him about possessing a green card during the traffic stop. He explained he did not have one but was married to an American citizen, held a work permit, and was awaiting his green card approval. Nevertheless, he was taken into custody and transported through multiple facilities, beginning with a holding cell in Massachusetts, then to New York, before ultimately arriving at the Texas detention centre.
Appalling Conditions Described
In emotional interviews, Mr Culleton detailed the severe conditions at the El Paso facility, which he characterized as "horrible" with inadequate sanitation, limited food supplies, and widespread illness among detainees. He described living in constant fear of the private security firm managing the centre, stating they were "capable of anything" and making the environment unpredictable and dangerous.
The physical setup was particularly distressing: seventy-two individuals were confined in a tent measuring approximately 16 by 35 feet with no ceiling, containing only two rows of bunk beds and a central table. Mr Culleton emphasized the "filthy" conditions, calling the toilets and showers "nasty," and noted intense competition for food that has caused him to lose significant weight.
"There is no real quality of life here. I've been locked in the same room now for four and a half months," he told RTE's Liveline programme. "I've had barely any outside time, no fresh air, no sunshine. I could probably count on both hands the amount of times I've been outside."He expressed his deteriorating mental state, stating: "I'd be so grateful if we could just end this ASAP. I've been detained now for five months, locked in the same room for four and a half of those months. It's just torture. I don't know how much more I can take."
Family's Anguish and Failed Appeals
Mr Culleton's wife, Tiffany, described the profound shock of his detention and the ongoing difficulties in maintaining contact. She revealed she did not hear from him for almost a week after his initial arrest phone call, leaving her uncertain about his safety or whether he had been deported. While ICE officially permits visits, she found it "almost impossible to set one up," and a planned trip to Texas for a court hearing was thwarted when the date was changed at the last minute.
"He's a good man. I don't think anyone deserves this but Seamus definitely doesn't deserve this," she asserted, adding that her attempts to contact US senators and former President Donald Trump about the case have gone unanswered.
Caroline Culleton, the detainee's sister, echoed these concerns, stating the family remains unaware of the specific reasons for his detention. She highlighted his deteriorating health, including significant weight loss, sores, infections, and hair loss, attributing these conditions to the lack of sunlight and poor living standards.
"There are no words. I mean the way they're being kept and they're locked up, and he's only been allowed out a couple of times," she said. "They don't see the sunlight. They don't get out. Their health deteriorates." She added that the ongoing situation has been "heartbreaking for our mother" and the extended family.
Political Appeal Amid Controversy
Mr Culleton has specifically requested that Taoiseach Micheal Martin raise his case directly with US authorities during diplomatic engagements, hoping for a swift resolution to what he perceives as an unjust detention. His description of the facility as a "modern day concentration camp" adds to existing controversies surrounding ICE detention practices, which have faced criticism from human rights organizations internationally.
The case underscores broader issues within the US immigration system, particularly concerning individuals with pending status adjustments and established family ties in the country. As Mr Culleton's detention extends without clear justification, his family continues to advocate for his release and proper treatment, emphasizing his long-term residence, marriage, and legal work authorization in the United States.
