ICE Detains Irishman Seamus Culleton for 16-Year Visa Overstay

An Irish national, Seamus Culleton, is currently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after overstaying his tourist visa for over 16 years. Culleton was apprehended in September 2023 and has since been held at a Texas detention facility, causing him extreme distress.

Background on Seamus Culleton

Culleton is originally from Kilkenny, Ireland. He has been living in the U.S. since 2009 under the visa waiver program, which allowed him to stay for 90 days without a visa. However, he never left the country as required.

During his time in the U.S., Culleton married an American citizen and applied for a green card. Despite these efforts, he was taken into custody while returning items to a Home Depot in Burlington, Massachusetts.

Detention Experience

The 16-year visa overstay has led to a prolonged detention at the Fort Bliss Army base in Texas. For nearly five months, Culleton claims to have lived under dire conditions, locked in a room described as “filthy.” He has expressed fears for his safety, calling his situation “a nightmare.”

• Culleton was apprehended by ICE agents on September 9, 2023.
• He was moved to Fort Bliss, over 2,000 miles away from his home.
• He reports limited outdoor time and unsatisfactory meal portions, which he described as “kid-size.”
• Inmates reportedly face inadequate sanitation, with bathrooms that are “very rarely cleaned.”

Legal Proceedings and Public Response

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Culleton had received full due process and a final order of removal on September 10, 2025. However, he did not agree to leave the U.S., believing that his pending paperwork warranted his presence in the country.

Amidst his struggles, Culleton’s wife, Tiffany Smyth, shared the harrowing news of his detention, expressing concern for his well-being. Politicians in Ireland are now advocating for his case, promising to address the situation with U.S. authorities.

Conclusion

Seamus Culleton’s experience highlights the complexities of immigration law and the psychological toll of detention. His case brings attention to the conditions within detention centers and the challenges faced by individuals navigating the U.S. immigration system.