Irish Man Fears for Life in Texas ICE Detention After 5 Months
In a harrowing account that's drawing international attention, Seamus Culleton, a 50-year-old Irish national from Kilkenny, Ireland, has spent the last five months in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in El Paso, Texas. Culleton, who has called Boston home for over 15 years and built a successful construction business, was abruptly detained by ICE agents in early September while heading home from a routine trip to Home Depot. His story highlights the harsh realities of U.S. immigration enforcement and the personal toll it takes on families and communities.
Background: From Irish Roots to American Dream
Seamus Culleton's journey to the U.S. began in 2009 when he entered under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of participating countries like Ireland a 90-day stay for tourism or business. According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Culleton failed to depart after his authorized period, leading to his current immigration status issues. However, Culleton paints a different picture of his life in America.
For more than a decade and a half, he has been deeply integrated into Boston's Irish-American community. Married to a U.S. citizen, Culleton was in the midst of applying for a green card—a process that can take years but offers a pathway to permanent residency. He maintained a valid work permit and boasted a spotless criminal record. 'As far as I know, I was covered,' Culleton told Irish broadcaster RTE from behind the walls of the El Paso facility. Running his own construction company, he employed local workers and contributed to the economy in Massachusetts.
His detention came without warning. On that fateful day, ICE officers approached him, ignoring his explanations about his marriage, green card application, and legal work status. 'None of that mattered; they cuffed me and took me away,' he recounted, his voice carrying the weight of disbelief and frustration.
Inside the Nightmare: Conditions at the El Paso Facility
Overcrowding and Isolation
Culleton's descriptions of daily life in detention are nothing short of alarming. He shares a large, overcrowded room with over 70 other men, sleeping under relentless artificial lighting that never dims. The environment is cold, damp, and filthy, with limited access to basic necessities. 'I’ve been locked in the same room now for four and a half months. I’ve had barely any outside time. No fresh air. No sunshine. I could probably count on both hands the amount of times I’ve been outside,' he said.
Detainees receive meager meals, and medical care is severely restricted. Outdoor recreation is a rarity, leaving inmates in a state of perpetual confinement. Culleton called the facility a 'nightmare,' emphasizing the psychological strain: 'I’m in fear for my life down here.' This isolation, thousands of miles from his Boston home and family, amplifies the trauma. His wife, a U.S. citizen, has been left to navigate the bureaucracy alone, pleading for his release.
Health and Human Rights Concerns
The conditions Culleton describes align with broader reports of substandard care in ICE facilities. Advocacy groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have long criticized overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and violations of basic human rights in such centers. In recent years, multiple lawsuits have exposed issues like denial of medical treatment, leading to deaths in custody. Culleton's case adds fuel to the fire, especially as international scrutiny intensifies.
Irish officials and human rights organizations have taken note. The Irish government has expressed concern, with calls for consular access and a review of his detention. 'This is not the America we know,' said one Irish diplomat in a statement to media outlets. Culleton's fear for his life stems not just from the physical toll but from reports of violence and neglect in similar facilities.
DHS Response and Immigration Policy Context
The DHS, through spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, maintains that Culleton's detention is lawful due to his visa overstay. 'Individuals who violate the terms of their admission are subject to removal proceedings,' the statement read. However, critics argue that cases like Culleton's—long-term residents with U.S. family ties and ongoing legal applications—should be handled with more discretion.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of evolving U.S. immigration policies. Under various administrations, enforcement priorities have shifted, but ICE detentions have surged, with over 20,000 people in custody daily as of late 2025. Texas, home to numerous facilities, has become a hotspot for such cases. The visa waiver overstay issue affects thousands annually, but for someone like Culleton, who has paid taxes, employed others, and started a family, the punishment feels disproportionate.
Immigration experts note that while overstaying is a civil violation, not a crime, it can lead to swift detention. Legal aid organizations recommend consulting attorneys early in the green card process to avoid such pitfalls. Culleton's situation underscores the need for immigration reform, including streamlined pathways for spouses of citizens and protections against arbitrary detentions.
Broader Implications: A Call for Change
Seamus Culleton's ordeal is more than an individual tragedy; it's a microcosm of the challenges facing the U.S. immigration system. As debates rage over border security and humanitarian treatment, stories like his humanize the statistics. Families are torn apart, businesses disrupted, and lives upended by what many see as an overly punitive approach.
Advocates are pushing for oversight reforms, including independent monitoring of detention centers and alternatives to incarceration for non-criminal cases. In Culleton's words to RTE, 'I just want to go home to my family.' His case has sparked online campaigns and media coverage, amplifying calls for his release.
As of February 10, 2026, Culleton's legal team continues to fight for his freedom, arguing that his detention violates due process. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes compassion over enforcement. For now, in the dim lights of El Paso, one man's fear echoes the urgent need for systemic change in America's approach to immigration.
This story is developing, and Everythiiing.com will provide updates as new information emerges. If you or someone you know is facing immigration challenges, resources like the ACLU or local legal aid can offer support.
