Irishman Detained in Texas After Visa Overstay

An Irish citizen who overstayed his 90-day tourist visa over 15 years ago has been held in a Texas immigration detention facility for nearly five months, describing his experience as a form of “torture.”

Seamus Culleton, married to an American, shared with Irish media that he had a valid work permit and a pending application for a green card when he was unexpectedly arrested by an agent in Boston, where he operates a construction business.

He reported being handcuffed and transported over 3,000 miles to a facility at Fort Bliss Army Base in Texas, where he has been confined to the same “filthy” room.

“It’s a nightmare here,” Culleton told a news outlet. He expressed concern for his safety, stating, “This is just torture. I don’t know how much more I can endure.”

Originally from Kilkenny, Culleton mentioned he was uncertain about the reasons for his detention, though he acknowledged he had declined to sign documents that would authorize his deportation.

A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, argued that his choice to remain in custody was evident, emphasizing that he had simply overstayed his visa.

“He entered the U.S. in 2009 under the Visa Waiver Program, which allowed him a 90-day stay without a visa. He was unsuccessful in leaving the U.S.,” she stated.

“He received full due process, and an immigration judge issued a final deportation order on September 10, 2025,” she continued, explaining that he had been given the chance to return to Ireland but opted to stay in custody instead.

Culleton described the circumstances of his arrest, recalling that he was stopped by authorities after visiting a hardware store. He mentioned, “I followed everything they said. They asked about my green card, and I explained that I was in the process of obtaining one due to my marriage to a citizen.”

Initially taken to a detention center in Burlington, Massachusetts, Culleton was later moved to the Texas facility.

As his case undergoes immigration court procedures, Culleton claims that the brutal conditions have instilled a constant fear for his life. He shared, “Every day is unpredictable. You don’t know if there will be a riot or what might happen next.” Locked in the same room for months, he described the limited time outdoors, lack of sunlight, and poor meal portions, all contributing to heightened anxiety.

Culleton’s sister, Caroline, reflected on the day of his arrest, saying, “His whole life ended and was put on hold that day,” while politicians in Ireland have expressed their intent to raise his case with the White House.