Irish Man's Prolonged ICE Detention Sparks Outcry Over Conditions
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- Seamus Culleton, an Irish national, has been detained by ICE in Texas since September 2025, despite having a valid work permit.
- Culleton's wife, Tiffany Smith, is advocating for his release, describing the detention conditions as "dire" and "heartbreaking."
- Culleton was arrested while applying for a green card, having overstayed a visa waiver after entering the US in 2009.
- His lawyer, Ogor Winnie Okoye, argues for his immediate release, citing his non-criminal status and ongoing green card process.
- The Irish government is providing consular support, engaging with US authorities to address Culleton's situation.
Seamus Culleton, an Irish national detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since September 2025, remains in custody under conditions described as "dire" by his wife, Tiffany Smith. Despite holding a valid work permit, Culleton's detention has persisted for over five months, drawing attention to the challenges faced by immigrants navigating the US legal system.
Background and Arrest
Originally from Glenmore, County Kilkenny, Culleton entered the United States in 2009 under the visa waiver program, which allows a 90-day stay without a visa. He overstayed this period but later married a US citizen and began the process of obtaining a green card. On September 9, 2025, ICE agents arrested him outside a Home Depot in Saugus, Massachusetts, while he was returning purchased items. His lawyer, Ogor Winnie Okoye, claims that ICE identified him as a non-citizen through his license plate.
Detention Conditions and Legal Battle
Culleton's detention has seen him transferred across multiple ICE facilities, most recently in El Paso, Texas, nearly 4,000 kilometers from his Boston home. Speaking to RTÉ radio, Culleton described the conditions as akin to "torture," citing overcrowding, inadequate food, and unsanitary facilities. "It's a nightmare down here," he said, expressing fear for his safety amid volatile conditions.
Tiffany Smith, a lifelong Boston resident, has been vocal in her efforts to secure her husband's release. "Seamus is a good man. He doesn’t deserve what is going on," she stated at a press conference. Smith's plea is echoed by Okoye, who argues that Culleton is not a flight risk and should be allowed to complete his green card application process.
Consular and Governmental Involvement
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is actively providing consular assistance, with the Irish consulate in Austin, Texas, and the embassy in Washington engaging with the US Department of Homeland Security. The case highlights ongoing concerns about ICE detention practices and the treatment of immigrants with pending legal status adjustments.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The continued detention of Seamus Culleton raises significant questions about the US immigration system's handling of individuals with pending legal status adjustments. Should Culleton be released, it could set a precedent for similar cases, potentially influencing how ICE exercises discretion in future detentions. The involvement of the Irish government underscores the diplomatic dimensions of such cases, which may prompt further discussions between the US and Ireland on immigration policies and consular protections. As public attention grows, there could be increased scrutiny on ICE practices, although any broader reforms would require substantial legislative and policy shifts.
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Irish Man's Prolonged ICE Detention Sparks Outcry Over Conditions
In This Article
Sofia Romano| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- Seamus Culleton, an Irish national, has been detained by ICE in Texas since September 2025, despite having a valid work permit.
- Culleton's wife, Tiffany Smith, is advocating for his release, describing the detention conditions as "dire" and "heartbreaking."
- Culleton was arrested while applying for a green card, having overstayed a visa waiver after entering the US in 2009.
- His lawyer, Ogor Winnie Okoye, argues for his immediate release, citing his non-criminal status and ongoing green card process.
- The Irish government is providing consular support, engaging with US authorities to address Culleton's situation.
Seamus Culleton, an Irish national detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since September 2025, remains in custody under conditions described as "dire" by his wife, Tiffany Smith. Despite holding a valid work permit, Culleton's detention has persisted for over five months, drawing attention to the challenges faced by immigrants navigating the US legal system.
Background and Arrest
Originally from Glenmore, County Kilkenny, Culleton entered the United States in 2009 under the visa waiver program, which allows a 90-day stay without a visa. He overstayed this period but later married a US citizen and began the process of obtaining a green card. On September 9, 2025, ICE agents arrested him outside a Home Depot in Saugus, Massachusetts, while he was returning purchased items. His lawyer, Ogor Winnie Okoye, claims that ICE identified him as a non-citizen through his license plate.
Detention Conditions and Legal Battle
Culleton's detention has seen him transferred across multiple ICE facilities, most recently in El Paso, Texas, nearly 4,000 kilometers from his Boston home. Speaking to RTÉ radio, Culleton described the conditions as akin to "torture," citing overcrowding, inadequate food, and unsanitary facilities. "It's a nightmare down here," he said, expressing fear for his safety amid volatile conditions.
Tiffany Smith, a lifelong Boston resident, has been vocal in her efforts to secure her husband's release. "Seamus is a good man. He doesn’t deserve what is going on," she stated at a press conference. Smith's plea is echoed by Okoye, who argues that Culleton is not a flight risk and should be allowed to complete his green card application process.
Consular and Governmental Involvement
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is actively providing consular assistance, with the Irish consulate in Austin, Texas, and the embassy in Washington engaging with the US Department of Homeland Security. The case highlights ongoing concerns about ICE detention practices and the treatment of immigrants with pending legal status adjustments.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The continued detention of Seamus Culleton raises significant questions about the US immigration system's handling of individuals with pending legal status adjustments. Should Culleton be released, it could set a precedent for similar cases, potentially influencing how ICE exercises discretion in future detentions. The involvement of the Irish government underscores the diplomatic dimensions of such cases, which may prompt further discussions between the US and Ireland on immigration policies and consular protections. As public attention grows, there could be increased scrutiny on ICE practices, although any broader reforms would require substantial legislative and policy shifts.
Images from the Web
Related Articles
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Arrest Sparks International Calls for Justice
Iranian Students Lead Major Protests Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions
Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley Leave 10 Dead Amid Rising Tensions
US Economic Growth Slows Amid Government Shutdown and Inflation Concerns
Rising Tensions: Trump's Dual Approach to Iran's Nuclear Challenge
UK Denies US Use of Military Bases for Potential Iran Strikes Amid Chagos Islands Dispute