Seamus Culleton, an Irish man from County Kilkenny, has spent five months in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention after being arrested during a random immigration sweep, raising serious concerns about the U.S. immigration system’s treatment of lawful immigrants. Culleton, married to a U.S. citizen and a resident for over 20 years, runs a plastering business in Boston and has been described by his lawyer as a 'model immigrant.' Despite his valid work permit and clean criminal record, he faces deportation due to this extreme and unexpected enforcement action against him.

During his detention, Culleton has been transferred between facilities in Massachusetts, Buffalo, New York, and El Paso, Texas, where conditions have been reported to be deplorable. Sharing a cell with over 70 men, he has described the environment as cold, damp, and unsafe, with a lack of food leading to chaos among detainees. His experience highlights broader issues within the U.S. immigration enforcement system, reflecting a troubling inconsistency where lawful residents can find themselves facing dire consequences without clear justification.

This case sheds light on potential flaws in the immigration processes that can lead to unjust detention and deportation proceedings against individuals who are contributing members of society. It raises questions about the criteria used by ICE to detain individuals and the legal protections available for immigrants, urging a reevaluation of policies that affect the rights and treatment of immigrants in the United States.