Irish man with valid US work permit detained by ICE for five months

• Detention: Seamus Culleton, 42, an Irish national from County Kilkenny, has been held by ICE for over five months at Camp East Montana, Fort Bliss, Texas.
• Arrest: He was arrested on September 9, 2025, while driving home from Home Depot in Boston.

Seamus Culleton, a 42-year-old Irish national from County Kilkenny, has been held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for more than five months at Camp East Montana, a large detention facility on the Fort Bliss Army base near El Paso, Texas.

Culleton, a construction business owner from Boston, was arrested on September 9, 2025, while driving home from Home Depot. He says he fears for his life amid what he describes as “psychological and physical torture” due to appalling detention conditions.

Immigration Status and Legal Background

Culleton has lived in the U.S. since 2009 and runs a plastering company in Boston. He told ICE authorities that he is married to a U.S. citizen, is applying for a green card, has a valid work permit, and has no criminal record.

“I was covered, as far as I know,” he said. “None of that mattered; they cuffed me and took me away.”

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Culleton entered the U.S. under the visa waiver program for a 90-day stay but failed to depart. An immigration judge issued a final removal order the next day. Culleton declined immediate voluntary departure to Ireland in order to fight his case.

Conditions Inside the Facility

Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTÉ from detention in February 2026, Culleton described overcrowded cells holding more than 70 men, constant artificial lighting, cold and damp conditions, limited food, restricted medical access, and almost no time outdoors.

“I’ve been locked in the same room now for four and a half months. I’ve barely had any outside time. No fresh air. No sunshine. I could probably count on both hands the number of times I’ve been outside,” he said.

He called the environment a “nightmare” and warned that he fears for his life.

Impact on Family

Culleton’s wife, Tiffany Smyth, described the sudden arrest as “awful.” She was left without information for nearly a week and tracked his location online to El Paso, nearly 2,500 miles from Boston. Arranging visits has been extremely difficult, and Culleton has missed scheduled green card interviews due to his detention.

U.S. Government Response

DHS maintains that Culleton received full due process and that conditions at the facility are not substandard. Spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin noted that a pending green card application does not confer legal status and emphasized that Culleton chose to remain in custody rather than accept immediate removal.

Culleton was granted a $4,000 bond hearing in October, paid by his wife, but remains detained as of February 2026 amid ongoing legal proceedings.

Reaction in Ireland

The case has drawn strong reactions from Irish officials. Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed concern over ICE facilities and confirmed that the Irish Embassy is engaging directly with DHS. Officials say five to six Irish citizens are currently in ICE custody, with a surge in consular requests related to U.S. deportation proceedings in 2025.

Culleton has appealed for his case to be raised during St. Patrick’s Day talks with President Donald Trump.

Broader Context of ICE Detention

Culleton’s detention highlights broader debates over ICE practices. Detention numbers reached a record 70,000–73,000 people nationwide in early 2026, the highest since the agency’s creation, with 74% having no criminal convictions.

While cases involving Irish nationals are a small fraction, the situation underscores concerns about prolonged detention, enforcement priorities, and facility conditions amid heightened U.S. immigration policies.

As of February 11, 2026, no resolution has been reported, and legal and diplomatic efforts continue.