Irishman Detained by ICE Faces Temporary Halt to Deportation

The deportation of Seamus Culleton, an Irish man detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has been temporarily halted, offering a brief reprieve in a case that has drawn attention to the complexities of U.S. Immigration law. Culleton, originally from Glenmore, County Kilkenny, Ireland, has been held in an ICE detention facility in El Paso, Texas, since September 2025.

Background of the Case

Seamus Culleton entered the United States in 2009 under the Visa Waiver Program, which permits stays of up to 90 days. He subsequently remained in the country, marrying a U.S. Citizen and establishing a plastering business in the Boston area. He has resided in the U.S. For nearly two decades and has no criminal record .

Detention and Pending Green Card Application

Culleton was detained by ICE agents while in the process of applying for a green card. Despite having a valid work permit and a pending green card application as a spouse of a U.S. Citizen, he was taken into custody. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security maintains that a pending application and work authorization do not confer legal status .

Conditions of Detention

Culleton has been held at the El Paso Camp East Montana, an ICE detention facility located within Fort Bliss Army base in Texas . He has described the conditions as difficult, noting limited access to fresh air, small meal portions, and unsanitary facilities . His wife, Tiffany Smith, reported that he appeared unwell during a recent video call .

Temporary Reprieve

Lawyers representing Culleton, the BOS Legal Group in Boston, Massachusetts, announced that a court has issued a temporary order pausing his deportation for 10 business days . The legal team is focused on securing his release from ICE custody and obtaining the necessary immigration relief to allow him to remain in the United States with his family .

Community Support

A GoFundMe page created to support Culleton’s legal expenses and release had raised nearly $30,000 (€25,000) before being deactivated . The case has garnered attention on social media and within the Irish community in the United States .