An Irish man in ICE detention fears for life after being held in the United States for five months despite having a valid work permit and no criminal record, and he has urgently appealed to the Irish government for assistance. Seamus Culleton described the conditions at his Texas detention centre as “psychological and physical torture” and implored Ireland’s authorities to intervene.
Culleton spoke from the El Paso facility, emphasizing that his fear is not of the other inmates but of the staff. “I’m not in fear of the other detainees. I’m afraid of the staff. They’re capable of anything,” he said. He requested that the taoiseach, Micheál Martin, raise his case with President Donald Trump when he visits the White House next month for St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
“Just try to get me out of here and do all you can, please. It’s absolute torture, psychological and physical torture,” Culleton said. “It’s just a horrible, horrible, horrible place.” He added that every day brings uncertainty, with potential for riots, unpredictable treatment from staff, and minimal access to outdoor spaces or exercise.
Originally from County Kilkenny, Culleton, 42, runs a plastering business in the Boston area. He entered the US in 2009 on a visa waiver programme and overstayed the 90-day limit.
After marrying US citizen Tiffany Smyth and applying for lawful permanent residence, he obtained a statutory exemption allowing him to work legally. Despite this, he was followed by ICE agents and arrested on 9 September 2025 while buying supplies at a hardware store.
Culleton’s detention prevented him from attending the final green card interview in October that would have confirmed his legal status. “It’s inexplicable that this man has been in detention,” said his lawyer, Ogor Winnie Okoye. The lawyer added that US authorities are threatening to deport him “any day,” and that the fifth court of appeals in Texas handling his case is “the least immigrant-friendly court.”
“I try my best to stay positive,” Culleton said. “I talk to my wife every day; she’s my rock. I speak to my mother and sister most days. They’re all rooting for me.” He expressed heartbreak over his family in Ireland, saying, “My own family is also suffering, my mother especially. She is heartbroken. 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.”
Culleton’s wife, Tiffany Smyth, has publicly shared his story to increase pressure on authorities. “We need help. This is not just about Seamus; it’s about justice and human decency,” she said. Smyth described the conditions in the detention facility as squalid, with 71 detainees crowded in one room, insufficient food, and showers and toilets in unsanitary states. “So everybody is hungry. It’s a nightmare every day,” she said.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is providing consular assistance through the Irish consulate in Austin, Texas, while the embassy in Washington engages with the US Department of Homeland Security at a senior level. Officials noted that the case is sensitive given ongoing diplomatic relations and Ireland’s efforts to avoid tensions with the Trump administration over corporate tax, trade, and immigration policies.
Opposition parties in Ireland have called on the taoiseach to reconsider the White House visit, citing human rights concerns. “We cannot ignore the plight of an Irish citizen facing life-threatening conditions abroad,” one opposition representative said. The case has sparked debate in Ireland over the government’s responsibilities to citizens detained overseas.
Culleton said the environment in the detention centre is volatile, with inmates unsure of what each day will bring. “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,” he said. Daily meals are small, equivalent to child portions, and time outside for fresh air is negligible.
His lawyer Okoye emphasized the injustice of Culleton’s detention. “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,” he said. Okoye highlighted that aggressive ICE enforcement has targeted many low-risk immigrants. “Less than 14% of almost 400,000 immigrants arrested in the first year of Trump’s second term faced charges or convictions for violent offenses. The vast majority were nonviolent,” he said.
Culleton expressed gratitude for the attention his case has received but stressed the urgency of immediate intervention. “I’ll take any help I can get now at this point. My life is literally in danger here,” he said. The fear he described is palpable, and his appeal to Ireland reflects his desperation to survive while maintaining legal rights in the United States.
US immigration expert Tom Homan, formerly a senior ICE official, noted that widespread enforcement measures risk eroding public support and can lead to situations like Culleton’s. “We have to balance enforcement with the humane treatment of immigrants,” Homan said.
Culleton’s case has drawn attention precisely because he is legally eligible to work and has no criminal record.
The story has resonated across Ireland, prompting campaigns for diplomatic pressure and advocacy from immigrant rights groups. Citizens have expressed concern on social media, emphasizing that Culleton’s situation could happen to any Irish person in similar circumstances abroad.
Culleton’s situation also highlights broader issues with US immigration and detention policies. Lawyers and advocacy groups say that lengthy detentions of low-risk immigrants, even those with lawful exemptions, are increasingly common. “It’s a human rights issue as much as a legal issue,” Okoye said. “Seamus’ case is not unique, but it is urgent because of his health and psychological state.”
Culleton’s health and wellbeing are a major concern. He described psychological strain from confinement, limited human contact beyond his immediate family, and anxiety over possible deportation. “It’s just a horrible place. You don’t know what will happen to you next,” he said. Mental health experts highlight the detrimental effects of prolonged detention, especially under crowded and unsanitary conditions.
Advocates are calling for swift intervention from Irish authorities.
“Ireland must ensure its citizens are protected abroad,” one campaigner said. “Every day in ICE detention is a day of risk to Seamus’ life.” Culleton and his family hope that diplomatic pressure and public attention will lead to his release before the St Patrick’s Day White House visit.
Culleton’s plea to the Irish government and President Trump is clear: “Please, help me get out of here. I just want to live my life and be with my family.” His story has become a focal point for discussions about immigration policy, citizen rights abroad, and the responsibilities of governments to protect their nationals.
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The case continues to evolve, with both legal and diplomatic channels engaged. Ireland’s embassy is monitoring developments closely, while Culleton remains in detention, facing uncertainty about his future. His voice, however, has reached the world, highlighting the human cost of prolonged immigration detention and the need for urgent action.
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