Seamus Culleton with his wife, Tiffany Smyth, from the United States. (Credit: Irish Times)
An Irish man has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for five months despite having a valid work permit and no criminal record. Seamus Culleton, 42, who operates a plastering business in the Boston area, has appealed to the Irish government for assistance, fearing for his life in a Texas detention centre.
Living in Fear and Squalid Conditions
Speaking to Ireland’s RTÉ radio from the El Paso facility, Culleton described his detention conditions as "torture" and said he feared for his safety, not from other inmates, but from the staff. "They’re capable of anything," he said. The conditions in the detention centre were described as "psychological and physical torture," with Culleton saying he could not endure much more.
“I try to stay positive, but it’s a horrible, horrible, horrible place,” he said. He explained that he had been locked in a small room with 71 other detainees, with little food, poor sanitation, and limited time outdoors for fresh air or exercise. "You don’t know what’s going to happen on a day-to-day basis," he said, adding that riots and unpredictable violence were frequent concerns.
A Long Journey to Detention
Originally from County Kilkenny, Culleton entered the U.S. in 2009 on a visa waiver but overstayed the 90-day limit. After marrying U.S. citizen Tiffany Smyth, Culleton applied for lawful permanent residence. According to his lawyer, Culleton was granted a statutory exemption that allowed him to work while his application was pending.
However, Culleton’s detention has prevented him from attending the final interview for his green card, which would have confirmed his legal status. His lawyer, Ogor Winnie Okoye, stated that it was “inexplicable” that he had been held in detention for so long, especially as he had a valid work permit and no criminal record.
A Family in Despair
Culleton’s wife in Massachusetts and his family in Ireland have been vocal about his case, hoping to draw attention to his situation. Culleton, who is in regular contact with his wife and family, expressed how difficult it has been for them, especially his mother, who is “heartbroken.”
In his plea, Culleton asked the Taoiseach, Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin, to raise his case with U.S. President Donald Trump when he visits the White House for St. Patrick’s Day. “Just try to get me out of here and do all you can, please,” he said. “I just want to get back to my life.”
Irish Government Offers Assistance
The Irish government has been providing consular assistance through its consulate in Austin, Texas. The Department of Foreign Affairs has also been engaging with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at a senior level. Taoiseach Martin expressed his concern about Culleton’s detention conditions but did not confirm whether he would raise the case with President Trump during the visit.
Legal Challenges and Deportation Threats
Culleton’s lawyer revealed that U.S. authorities had been threatening to deport him at any moment. The case is currently being handled by the Fifth Court of Appeals in Texas, a court known for its tough stance on immigration. “There’s no reason why the government shouldn’t just release him and allow him to attend the green card interview,” Okoye said.
Statistics recently released by ICE show that less than 14% of immigrants arrested in the first year of President Trump’s second term had charges or convictions for violent crimes, contradicting the administration’s claims of targeting the “worst of the worst.”
Seamus Culleton’s story has highlighted the harsh and often unjust conditions that some detainees face while being held by ICE. With his case still unresolved, the pressure is mounting on both the Irish and U.S. governments to take action to address his situation and ensure his rights are respected.
