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US Homeland Security Refutes Irish Man’s Claims About Immigration Detention Conditions
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has firmly rejected an Irish man’s characterization of immigration detention facilities as “horrible,” calling his descriptions “false.” Seamus Culleton, who has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since September, had compared his detention conditions to a “modern-day concentration camp.”
“These claims that there are subprime conditions at ICE facilities are false,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to the Press Association on Tuesday. “ICE has higher detention standards than most US prisons that hold actual US citizens.”
Culleton, originally from County Kilkenny, Ireland, has lived in the United States for nearly 20 years and is married to a US citizen. He was detained on September 9, 2025, while driving home from work. According to Culleton, he had a work permit, but was arrested and transferred from Massachusetts to an ICE facility in El Paso, Texas.
The DHS alleges that Culleton first arrived in the US in 2009 under the visa waiver program, which allows visitors to stay for 90 days without a visa, but failed to leave after this period expired. “A pending green card application and work authorisation does not give someone legal status to be in our country,” the department stated.
The agency emphasized that detention is avoidable, encouraging undocumented immigrants to utilize the CBP One app for voluntary departure. “The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now,” McLaughlin noted, adding that this approach would preserve their chance to return legally in the future.
Irish government officials have expressed concern about Culleton’s situation and are providing consular assistance. Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee described it as a “really distressing” situation and confirmed that Irish diplomatic staff are supporting Culleton’s family.
“If there are other people in that type of scenario, please engage with our teams – we’re there to support them,” McEntee urged Irish citizens who may be in similar circumstances. She acknowledged awareness of “a small number of cases where people have directly reached out to our embassy teams.”
Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin later told the Dáil (Irish Parliament) that officials were aware of five to six similar cases with varying immigration statuses. Martin expressed empathy for Culleton’s situation, stating, “I fully empathise with the position he is in, he has been in the United States quite a long time, he’s married there.”
Culleton has requested that the Taoiseach raise his case directly with US President Donald Trump during their scheduled White House meeting for St. Patrick’s Day in March. When asked if he would do so, Martin indicated that government officials will explore further diplomatic communications with the US administration.
The case highlights growing concerns about immigration enforcement under the current US administration. Martin acknowledged a broader “crackdown in America in terms of the implementation of migration law which we are concerned about in terms of how it affects the Irish undocumented.” He noted that living in the US without legal status is a “very difficult and dangerous” position.
Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris described Culleton’s situation as “extremely stressful” for him and his family. When pressed about raising the case with President Trump, Harris emphasized that Irish authorities would continue diplomatic engagement before the March meeting, after which “the Taoiseach and the Government will judge where that’s at.”
The case has drawn attention to the estimated thousands of undocumented Irish citizens living in the United States and renewed discussions about potential pathways to regularize their status amid increasingly stringent immigration enforcement.
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7 Comments
Detention conditions are an important issue that impacts vulnerable populations. While the government’s stance is noted, the detainee’s perspective also warrants serious consideration. A balanced, fact-based approach is needed to resolve this dispute.
As an Irish citizen, I’m troubled to hear about one of our own being detained in such conditions. However, without direct access to the facilities, it’s difficult to verify the claims on either side. An impartial investigation could shed more light on the reality of the situation.
This highlights the complex and often contentious nature of immigration enforcement. Both sides appear to have strong views, but the ultimate priority should be ensuring the fair and humane treatment of all individuals passing through the system.
It’s good to see the government responding to these claims, but the details provided by both sides seem to be at odds. More transparency around detention standards and enforcement would help build public trust on this sensitive issue.
Immigration enforcement is a sensitive topic with valid concerns on all sides. However, any allegations of substandard detention conditions must be thoroughly investigated to uphold human rights and maintain public trust in the system.
The government’s refutation of the detainee’s account raises questions. While officials may have a different perspective, the concerns raised deserve a thorough, independent review to ensure proper treatment and uphold human rights standards.
This is a concerning situation. While I understand the need for secure immigration procedures, any allegations of poor detention conditions should be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. An open dialogue between officials and detainees is crucial to ensure humane treatment.