Irish Man Faces Immediate Deportation from US, Lawyer Warns

An Irish man detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is at risk of deportation “any day now,” according to his attorney. Seamus Culleton, who has lived in the United States for nearly 20 years, has been held since September 2022. His attorney, Ogor Winnie Okoye, describes the conditions at the detention facility in El Paso, Texas, as “horrible” and likened it to a “modern-day concentration camp.”

Originally from County Kilkenny, Mr. Culleton has established his life in the U.S. He is married to an American citizen, Tiffany Culleton, and was detained on September 9, 2022, while driving home from work in Massachusetts. Despite possessing a work permit, he was arrested and taken to an ICE facility. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Mr. Culleton had entered the U.S. in 2009 under a visa waiver program, which allowed him to remain for 90 days without a visa but did not leave after that period.

At an online press conference on Wednesday, Ms. Okoye emphasized that they have challenged the legality of his detention, citing “due process violations.” She pointed out that the administrative process for individuals who overstay the visa waiver program requires the U.S. government to adhere to specific rules regarding efficiency and fairness.

“For instance, VWP entrants must receive notifications from the government regarding their intent to remove them from the United States, along with other procedural protections,” she explained. Historically, the U.S. government has granted exemptions for certain immigration violations, particularly for immediate family members of U.S. citizens.

Tiffany Culleton expressed the emotional toll of the situation, stating, “Life has just been on hold for the past five months. I just want Seamus home where he belongs.” She added, “Seamus is a good man; he doesn’t deserve what’s going on, and it’s absolutely heartbreaking.” When asked about the possibility of relocating to Ireland if her husband were deported, she indicated that such a decision would require discussion between them.

Ms. Okoye highlighted that Mr. Culleton has built a life in the United States over the past two decades. “They have a business, they have family, they have everything here. It’s not easy when you’ve made a life somewhere and tried to do everything right.” She noted that the impact of his potential deportation extends beyond just the couple, affecting entire communities.

Prior to his arrest, Mr. Culleton had submitted a green card application. “He has strong familial and community ties and no criminal record since arriving in the United States,” Ms. Okoye stated. He was scheduled for a marriage-based green card interview in November 2022, which was moved to December, but a request for a phone interview was denied.

“Mr. Culleton remains in ICE detention under extremely dire conditions,” Ms. Okoye added. “He is in danger of being removed from the United States any day now.” The attorney is advocating for his immediate release so he can complete the process of obtaining lawful permanent status in the U.S.

“If ICE releases him, he can practically walk into the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Boston and get interviewed for his green card and secure it,” she argued. “If we are truly about family uniting and a humane approach to immigration, then why is the government not allowing him to proceed?”