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U.S. Court Halts Deportation of Boston-Area Irishman, Keeps Him in ICE Custody

The stay applies during his appeal, with DHS saying he could walk free by agreeing to return to Ireland.

Overview

  • U.S. Court of Appeals Chief Judge David Barron granted Seamus Culleton a stay of removal on March 1 pending review and declined to order his release from detention.
  • Culleton remains held at the ERO East Montana ICE facility in El Paso, Texas, where he has been detained for about six months.
  • A previous court order on Feb. 13 temporarily stayed his removal for 10 business days after he sought review of his final removal order.
  • DHS disputes Culleton’s accounts of harsh conditions at the facility and says he would be released if he agrees to return to Ireland.
  • His attorney says he overstayed a 2009 visa, is married to a U.S. citizen, and has no U.S. criminal record, as Irish outlets report a 2009 warrant tied to alleged drug offenses that has not been verified in U.S. reporting.