An Irish national detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for five months has issued a desperate plea for help, describing conditions at his Texas facility as akin to "torture" and expressing genuine fear for his life. Seamus Culleton, a 42-year-old plastering business owner from County Kilkenny, has been held despite possessing a valid work permit and having no criminal record, with his case now drawing urgent calls for diplomatic intervention.
A Desperate Appeal from Detention
Speaking from the El Paso detention centre to Ireland's RTÉ radio, Culleton made an emotional appeal to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, urging him to raise the case with President Donald Trump during next month's St Patrick's Day visit to the White House. "Just try to get me out of here and do all you can, please. It's an absolute torture, psychological and physical torture," Culleton stated, adding that he did not know how much more he could endure in what he described as a "horrible, horrible, horrible place."
Arrest and Legal Status
Culleton's ordeal began on 9 September 2025 when he was followed by ICE agents after buying supplies at a hardware store and subsequently arrested. According to his lawyer, Ogor Winnie Okoye, Culleton originally entered the United States in 2009 on a visa waiver programme and overstayed the 90-day limit. However, after marrying US citizen Tiffany Smyth and applying for lawful permanent residence, he obtained a statutory exemption that permitted him to work legally.
His detention has prevented him from attending the final interview for his green card in October, which would have confirmed his legal status. "It's inexplicable that this man has been in detention," Okoye emphasised, noting that US authorities are threatening to deport him "any day" and that the fifth court of appeals in Texas handling his case is considered the "least immigrant-friendly" court.
Conditions Described as Inhumane
Culleton provided harrowing details of his detention experience, revealing that he has been locked in a single room with 71 other detainees in squalid conditions. He reported insufficient food, with daily meals described as child-sized portions that leave everyone hungry, and negligible time allowed outside for fresh air, sunshine, or exercise.
"You don't know what's going to happen on a day-to-day basis. You don't know if there's going to be riots, you don't know what's going to happen. It's a nightmare down here," Culleton explained. He added that showers and toilets were "filthy" and expressed particular fear of the staff rather than fellow inmates. "I'm not in fear of the other inmates. I'm afraid of the staff. They're capable of anything," he stated.
Family Impact and Support Network
The detention has taken a significant toll on Culleton's family both in Ireland and the United States. His wife in Massachusetts and family in Ireland went public with his story this week in hopes of galvanising support for his release. Culleton mentioned that he speaks with his wife daily, describing her as his "rock," and maintains regular contact with his mother and sister in Ireland.
"My own family in Ireland is also suffering, my mother especially, she is heartbroken," Culleton said. "Just do as much as you can to try and get me out of here, please. I just want to get back to my life, we were so desperate to start a family."
Diplomatic and Political Implications
Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that it is providing consular assistance through the Irish consulate in Austin, Texas, and that the embassy in Washington is engaging with the US Department of Homeland Security at a "senior level." However, the case presents potential complications for Dublin's diplomatic efforts, particularly given the Trump administration's previous criticism of Ireland regarding corporate tax, trade, and immigration policies.
Some opposition parties in Ireland have urged Taoiseach Micheál Martin to cancel the White House visit in protest against Trump's domestic and foreign policies, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. The case emerges against a backdrop of broader immigration enforcement trends, with figures released on Monday showing that less than 14% of almost 400,000 immigrants arrested by ICE in the first year of Trump's second term had charges or convictions for violent criminal offences.
Broader Immigration Context
This statistic appears to undercut administration claims of targeting "the worst of the worst" in immigration enforcement. Furthermore, it has emerged that Tom Homan, Trump's "border czar," warned the administration last year that aggressive and widespread immigration enforcement could erode public support. Culleton's lawyer emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, "There's no reason why the government shouldn't just release him and allow him to attend the [green card] interview that will confirm his legal status."
As Culleton continues to endure what he describes as psychological and physical torture, his case highlights the human impact of immigration enforcement policies and the complex diplomatic balancing act facing the Irish government as it seeks to advocate for its citizens abroad while managing international relations.
