Irishman's Deportation from US Delayed After Five-Month ICE Detention
An Irish national detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for five months has been granted a temporary stay on his deportation until next month, as legal proceedings unfold. Seamus Culleton, originally from Kilkenny, has lived in the United States for nearly two decades and is married to a US citizen.
Arrest and Detention Conditions
Mr Culleton was driving home after work in Massachusetts when ICE agents detained him on September 9 last year. Despite having a work permit, he was arrested and transferred to an ICE facility in El Paso, Texas. In early February, he publicly described the conditions as resembling a "modern-day concentration camp" with minimal outdoor time during a live radio interview from detention.
Legal and Political Context
The US Department of Homeland Security stated that Mr Culleton entered the US in 2009 under a visa waiver programme, which permits a 90-day stay without a visa, but he did not depart after this period. His lawyer, Ogor Winnie Okoye, argued that the US government has historically granted exemptions for immigration violations, such as overstaying or unauthorized work, to immediate relatives of US citizens.
Ms Okoye noted that Mr Culleton had submitted a green card application before his arrest and was scheduled for a marriage-based interview in November. On Monday, her legal firm, BOS Legal, announced that a petition for review and an ex parte motion filed in the First Circuit Court of Appeals had delayed the deportation, resulting in a temporary order staying removal for ten business days.
Personal and Community Ties
Mr Culleton has resided in the United States for almost twenty years, is married to US citizen Tiffany, and has no criminal record during his time in the country. His legal team emphasized his strong familial and community connections, stating he presents no public safety concerns. He has been separated from his wife and family for over five months, with efforts focused on securing his release and reunification.
The court has ordered the government to file a response in the coming days, as the legal team advocates for his right to remain based on the case's merits. Mr Culleton has expressed hope that Taoiseach Micheal Martin will raise his case with US President Donald Trump during their scheduled White House meeting in March for St Patrick's Day.
