An Irish man held in U.S. immigration detention for five months has appealed for diplomatic intervention as federal authorities intensify enforcement actions that have also swept up U.S. citizens observing immigration officers.
Seamus Culleton, a 42-year-old Irish national, says he fears for his safety while detained in Texas despite holding a valid work permit and having no criminal record.
His case has gained attention as the Trump administration expands immigration crackdowns and prosecutions related to interference with federal officers.
Culleton’s detention and a series of recent arrests of activists and residents following ICE vehicles reflect a broader escalation in enforcement tactics and public concern.
Culleton, originally from County Kilkenny, was arrested in September after being followed by ICE agents outside a hardware store in Texas.
He entered the United States in 2009, overstayed a visa waiver, and later married a U.S. citizen while applying for lawful permanent residence.
According to his lawyer, he obtained a statutory exemption allowing him to work while his green card application was pending.
His detention prevented him from attending a final interview that would have confirmed his legal status.
Speaking to Ireland’s RTÉ radio, Culleton described overcrowded and unsanitary conditions and said daily life was unpredictable and frightening.
“I’m afraid of the staff. They’re capable of anything.”
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs said it is providing consular assistance and engaging U.S. authorities at a senior level.
Prime Minister Micheál Martin has expressed concern and said he hopes for Culleton’s release as Ireland weighs diplomatic sensitivities ahead of a planned White House visit.
Culleton’s case unfolds as ICE and the Department of Homeland Security pursue a tougher stance against people they say interfere with immigration operations.
Reuters reporting shows at least 655 people have been prosecuted nationwide under a federal statute criminalizing obstruction of law enforcement since city-focused crackdowns began last summer.
Recent incidents in Minnesota included the arrest of Becky Ringstrom after she followed ICE officers in her vehicle, as well as videos showing agents approaching cars with weapons drawn.
ICE officials say they are tracking protesters in internal databases to identify patterns that could lead to charges.
Legal experts and former ICE officials have questioned whether simply observing or following officers constitutes forcible interference under federal law.
Together, the cases highlight intensifying debate over immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and the treatment of detainees and observers alike.