Court Pauses Deportation of Irish Immigrant Facing Drug Charges in Ireland
A Boston-area man who has lived in the United States for nearly two decades has been granted a temporary reprieve from deportation, but remains in federal detention. Seamus Culleton, an Irish national, overstayed his visa in 2009 but subsequently married a U.S. Citizen and was in the process of applying for a green card.
On Sunday, a court issued an order temporarily staying his removal whereas his petition for review is pending. However, the court denied his request for release from detention, stating he “has failed to explain why such a request properly might be entertained by the court at this juncture,” according to reporting from WCVB.
Background of the Case
Seamus Culleton was arrested by ICE agents outside a Home Depot in Saugus, Massachusetts, in September 2025, and has since been held in facilities in Burlington, Massachusetts, Latest York, and El Paso, Texas. His attorney, Ogor Winnie Okoye, has been advocating for his release, arguing that he is a strong candidate for a favorable immigration outcome given his marriage to a U.S. Citizen and the ongoing green card application process. His wife, Tiffany Smith, has expressed her distress over his detention, stating, “I hope Seamus can get released. I hope he can arrive home. And we can finish what we started,” WCVB reported.
Prior Drug Charges in Ireland
Recent reports have surfaced regarding prior legal issues in Ireland. The Irish Times reported that a warrant was issued for Culleton’s arrest in 2009 related to alleged drug charges. Specifically, he was accused of possessing MDMA and obstructing an investigation, according to the Boston Herald. Court records obtained by NewsCenter 5 corroborate these allegations, showing accusations of possessing MDMA and obstructing a police search in 2008.
Concerns About Detention Conditions
Culleton recently described the detention facility in Texas as resembling a “concentration camp” in a radio interview, expressing fears for his safety and detailing poor conditions, including a lack of fresh air, sunshine, and adequate food. WCVB reported on these claims.
Legal Representation and Ongoing Efforts
Ogor Winnie Okoye, Culleton’s attorney, held a press conference to raise awareness of the case and seek a waiver of the immigration judge’s removal order from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She maintains that Culleton has no criminal record in the U.S. And that his green card application was already being processed when he was taken into custody. Boston 25 News and Yahoo News have both reported on Okoye’s advocacy efforts.