Irishman Granted 10-Day Deportation Reprieve from Texas ICE Facility
An Irish national who has been detained for five months in a United States immigration facility has been granted a temporary 10-day reprieve from potential deportation. Seamus Culleton, originally from Kilkenny, Ireland, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 9 last year while driving home from work in Massachusetts.
Legal Battle and Temporary Stay
According to BOS Legal, the firm representing Culleton, his deportation has been delayed following the filing of a petition for review of the administrative final removal order and an ex parte motion in the First Circuit Court of Appeals. The court issued a temporary order that will stay Culleton's removal for the next ten business days.
The government has been ordered to file its response in the coming days, which will be a critical next step in the legal proceedings. BOS Legal emphasized that Culleton has lived in the United States for nearly two decades, is married to a U.S. citizen, and has no criminal record or public safety concerns.
Harsh Conditions in Detention
Culleton has provided disturbing accounts of the conditions at the ICE facility in El Paso, Texas. He described the center as "horrible" and "filthy," with inadequate sanitation and limited food supplies. He expressed fear for his life due to the security firm in charge and reported intense competition for food among detainees.
Culleton likened the facility to a modern-day concentration camp, detailing that 72 people are housed in a tent measuring approximately 16 feet by 35 feet with no ceiling. The space contains two rows of bunk beds on either side and a long table down the middle.
Illnesses are widespread among detainees, with minimal access to outdoor time, fresh air, or sunlight. These conditions have raised serious concerns about the treatment and welfare of individuals held in immigration custody.
Family and Community Ties
Culleton's wife, Tiffany Smyth, a U.S. citizen, told Sky News that her husband's situation is "hard to believe" and that she had numerous questions when he called to inform her of his detention. Culleton himself stated, "If it can happen to me… it can kind of happen to anyone," highlighting the unpredictability and potential broad impact of such immigration enforcement actions.
BOS Legal remains focused on securing Culleton's release from custody and obtaining the necessary immigration relief to allow him to remain in the United States with his family. The firm is committed to advocating for his right to stay based on the legal merits of his case and ensuring justice is served within the bounds of the law.
This case underscores ongoing debates about immigration policies, detention conditions, and the legal challenges faced by long-term residents in the United States. The outcome of the court's review and the government's response will be closely watched by immigration advocates and affected communities.
