An Irish man detained by ICE in the US remains in custody over eight months on, as his lawyer says he’s still fighting deportation. Kilkenny native Seamus Culleton, who owns a plastering business in Boston, Massachusetts, was arrested and has been in a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in El Paso, Texas, ever since last September. His detention became mired in controversy when it later emerged that he had actually left Ireland in 2008 while still facing drug charges, while his
daughters alleged that he “abandoned” them from an early age. But now several months after a deportation order, Culleton remains detained by ICE in El Paso – and is going through “litigation,” his lawyer says. “Litigation is ongoing and Mr. Culleton is still in ICE detention,” his lawyer Ogor Winnie Okoye told the Irish Mirror in a short update today. Culleton successfully halted his deportation back in March but is still going through the legal process to prevent it. His lawyer previously declined to comment
on the claims being made back home – and on what she called “family matters.” His estranged daughter Heather Morrissey (19) told us earlier this year: “He won’t own up to his wrongdoing and it clearly shows when he doesn’t want to express his opinion or feelings on the matter.” In strong comments against her father Heather also hit back at claims by Culleton’s lawyer that he just wants to be released to his wife and “has strong familial and community ties in the United
States.” “He has no family there (in the US). His family is over here—us, and not two dogs. They are animals and we are human beings with feelings,” she said. Culleton’s legal representative previously said that it intends to fight to keep Culleton in the US, and reunite him with his wife. “Culleton has resided in the United States for nearly two decades and is married to a U.S. citizen. He has no criminal entries since living in the United States. Culleton is married to
a U.S. citizen, presents no public safety concerns, and has strong familial and community ties in the United States. Culleton has been separated from his wife, Tiffany, and his family for over five months. Our legal team remains focused on securing his release from ICE custody and obtaining the immigration relief necessary for him to be reunited with his wife and to remain in the United States with his family. “We are committed to advocating for Culleton’s right to remain in the United States based
on the legal merits of his case.” “Our focus is on reuniting him with his spouse and ensuring that justice is served within the bounds of our laws.” The firm added that it won’t be commenting on the recent claims by Culleton’s daughters in Ireland – who have told this paper that they don’t even believe his claims made on RTE’s Liveline programme that he was being kept in “concentration camp” like conditions. “BOS Legal Group will not be commenting on personal or family matters
unrelated to legal representation at this time,” Culleton’s lawyers said. His daughter Heather however does not believe his claims are genuine. “I spoke out about it now because he is all over the internet acting the victim and making people believe his lies. “I do not think it’s a concentration camp because if that was the case and he is so afraid for his life he would come back to Ireland. I would want my father to be deported back to Ireland. I don’t believe
he deserves to live in the US.” His daughters previously told how they felt they had been “abandoned” by Culleton. The comments come as it emerged that Culleton had been facing a charge relating to possession with the intent of sale or supply of ecstasy pills and obstruction of a Garda, back in 2008. He failed to appear at New Ross District Court for his hearing and a bench warrant was requested but was ultimately never issued as he had left the jurisdiction. He also
appeared in the same court in April 2008 for allegedly being intoxicated in a public place. Mr Culleton made headlines when he spoke on RTÉ’s Liveline programme earlier this year and said he is currently experiencing “a nightmare”. “I’d love for you guys to just try to get me out of here. Do all you can please. It’s absolute torture, psychological torture, physical torture,” he said. “Everybody’s sick. There’s Covid in every pod. There’s influenza in every pod. It’s just a horrible, horrible, horrible place.
It’s very hard to stay positive in a situation like this. We’re often without hygiene products. We’re often without shampoo and soap.” “The showers are filthy, the toilets are filthy. Infection, disease and sickness is right here. I just want to get back to my wife. We were so desperate to start a family.” Mr Culleton said it’s been extremely hard for his family in Ireland, adding: “My mother, especially, is heartbroken that I’m in here. She’s just heartbroken over the whole situation. I don’t
want her health to get any worse. She’s constantly worrying and stressing about me. It’s not fair on her.” In a statement, Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary at the US Department of Homeland Security, said Mr Culleton received full due process and was issued a final deportation order from a federal judge. She said: ‘On September 9, 2025, ICE arrested Séamus Culleton, an illegal alien from Ireland. He entered the United States in 2009 under the visa waiver programme, which allows you to stay in
the US for 90 days without a visa. ‘He failed to depart the US. He received full due process and was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge on September 10, 2025. ‘He was offered the chance to instantly be removed to Ireland but chose to stay in ICE custody, in fact he took affirmative steps to remain in detention.’ Ms McLaughlin said Mr Culleton’s continued detention is ‘his choice’. She added: ‘Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal
aliens to use the CBP [Customs and Border Protection] Home app to take control of their departure. ‘The US is offering illegal aliens $2,600 (€2,200) and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the US the right legal way to live the American dream. ‘If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.’ Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from
the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Seamus Culleton, ICE detention, El Paso, litigation, deportation, Ogor Winnie Okoye, Tiffany Culleton, Heather Morrissey, RTÉ Liveline, Tricia McLaughlin, U.S. Department of Homeland Security