Irishman's American Dream Shattered by Trump ICE Crackdown
Seamus Culleton's life in the United States has been brutally divided into two stark realities. In one, he exists as a cherished memory in the heart of his wife, Tiffany Smyth, captured in joyful photographs of sun-drenched beaches, playful moments with their two dogs, and the radiant smiles of their engagement. In the other, he languishes in what he describes as a "modern-day concentration camp" in Texas, his future hanging in the balance.
From Boston Store to Detention Centre
Five months ago, Seamus, a 38-year-old native of Kilkenny, Ireland, was at a building supplies store in Boston when agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him. His journey since has been a harrowing one, transferred via Buffalo, New York, to Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas. From there, he recounted his experience in a phone call, his Irish accent a poignant reminder of the life he left behind.
"If it can happen to me… it can kind of happen to anyone," he said, reflecting on his nearly 18 years in the US, where he had "lived a normal life"—working hard, avoiding trouble, and spending quiet time with his wife and pets.
A Wife's Agony and Legal Battles
Tiffany Smyth vividly recalls the moment her husband called to say he had been detained. "He says ICE picked him up, and I had a million questions… where are they taking you?" she said. The call ended abruptly, and she heard nothing from him for four or five days, leaving her in a state of disbelief and anguish.
Seamus's legal status is a point of contention. He arrived in the US in 2009 on a visa waiver but overstayed the allowed 90 days. However, after marrying an American citizen, he gained the right to seek a change of status. He had obtained a work permit and was reportedly just one appointment away from securing a green card, a path to permanent residency.
The Department of Homeland Security, in a statement, labelled him "an illegal alien from Ireland", asserting that a green card application and work permit do not confer legal status. Yet, his lawyer, Ogor Winnie Okoye, fiercely disputes this, condemning the detention conditions as "deplorable, unimaginable, inhumane" and unfit even for the most serious criminals.
Broader Context of Trump's Immigration Policies
This case unfolds against the backdrop of former President Donald Trump's pledge to execute the greatest mass deportation in US history, targeting what he termed "the worst of the worst" criminals. Recent data indicates that ICE is currently holding around 70,000 people, with 74% having no criminal conviction.
Seamus's lawyer argues that he is far from the worst, instead representing "the best of what this country's all about, immigrants coming in and making a difference". Despite the nightmare of detention, Seamus clings to his American dream, envisioning a reunion with his wife. "The picture in my mind, if I got released, would be just my wife waiting for me with her arms open... and giving her a kiss. It's been so long since I've seen her," he shared, his voice filled with longing.
This story highlights the human cost of stringent immigration enforcement, raising questions about fairness and humanity in the treatment of individuals caught in complex legal webs.
