An Irish man is facing a daunting situation as he has been in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for five months, despite possessing a valid work permit and a clean criminal record. Seamus Culleton, described by his lawyer Ogor Winnie Okoye as a "model immigrant," finds himself caught in what can only be termed a perplexing and inefficient immigration system.
Hailing from County Kilkenny, Culleton is married to a U.S. citizen and operates a plastering business in the Boston area. His troubles began on September 9, 2025, when, while shopping for supplies at a hardware store, he was apprehended during a routine immigration sweep, according to his lawyer from BOS Legal Group in Massachusetts.
Culleton first entered the United States in 2009 through a visa waiver program but overstayed the permitted 90 days. However, after marrying a U.S. citizen and applying for lawful permanent residency, he was granted a statutory exemption that enabled him to work legally. "He holds a work authorization linked to his green card application," Okoye explained. This exemption underscores the confusion surrounding Culleton's detention, particularly since his inability to attend a critical interview scheduled for October has complicated his legal status. "It’s baffling that he remains in detention. There is no justification for the government not to release him so he can participate in the interview that would finalize his legal standing," she added.
During his time in ICE facilities located in Boston and Buffalo, New York, Culleton was eventually transported to a facility in El Paso, Texas. In this harsh environment, he shares a crowded cell with over 70 other men. He described the detention center as cold, damp, and unsanitary, likening it to "absolute hell" and a "concentration camp," as reported by the Irish Times. The dire conditions have led to fights among detainees due to inadequate food supplies.
When arrested, Culleton had on him a Massachusetts driver’s license and a valid work permit associated with his pending green card application, which he initiated in April 2025. At the Buffalo facility, when presented with a deportation agreement form, he refused to sign it, opting instead to indicate his intention to contest his arrest because of his marriage to a U.S. citizen, Tiffany Smyth, and his valid work permit.
In November, a judge approved his release on a $4,000 bond, which his wife paid. Yet, Culleton remained detained, initially without any rationale provided. When his attorney escalated the matter to a federal court, two ICE agents claimed that Culleton had signed documents consenting to his deportation while in Buffalo—something he vehemently disputes, asserting that the signatures were not his own. "My entire life is here. I’ve worked tirelessly to establish my business. My wife resides here with me," he declared.
The judge acknowledged discrepancies in the documentation presented by ICE but ultimately sided with the agency, leaving Culleton without avenues for appeal under U.S. law. He hopes to have handwriting analysts review the signatures and is convinced that video footage of his interaction with ICE in Buffalo will demonstrate his refusal to sign any deportation documents.
This case echoes previous incidents involving Irish nationals, such as Cliona Ward, who, despite holding a green card, was detained for 17 days due to a criminal record from over two decades prior. Similarly, a visiting Irish tech worker who overstayed his visa by merely three days faced nearly 100 days in detention after agreeing to deportation.
Culleton expressed to the Irish Times his uncertainty about what lies ahead, describing the ongoing situation as "psychological torture." Recently, facility officials attempted to persuade him to sign a deportation order, but he steadfastly declined.
Okoye emphasized that the U.S. government possesses discretionary powers to release her client, criticizing the treatment of an immigrant diligently navigating the green card process. "He has never been arrested, is married to a U.S. citizen, owns his own business, and has built a life here. He has done everything correctly," she stated.
Meanwhile, Smyth has endured an agonizing five months filled with heartbreak, stress, and anxiety, stating, "I wouldn't wish this on anyone or their family. I continue to pray for a miracle every day." After their first video call in five months, she shared with Culleton’s family that he had lost weight, experienced hair loss, and developed sores and infections, highlighting the poor hygiene conditions within the facility. "He’s been asking for antibiotics for the past four weeks," reported his sister, Caroline Culleton, to RTÉ. Furthermore, she noted that detainees rarely have opportunities for exercise or fresh air.
Reflecting on the situation, Caroline said, "It’s heartbreaking. We’ve discussed the physical challenges he faces, but what about his mental health? How will he cope once released? What long-term impact will this ordeal have on him?"
In an alarming trend, the Irish government reported a significant increase in the number of Irish citizens seeking assistance regarding deportation from the U.S., rising from 15 cases in 2024 to 65 in the previous year.
