An Irish Liverpool fan detained by federal authorities in the United States “violated federal law”, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) claims. Seamus Culleton has spent more than five months in a Texas detention facility.
ICE has come under fire following the killings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement ‘surge’ last month. Seamus, from Kilkenny, is accused of overstaying a 90-day visitor allowance in 2009. He has since remained in the United States, and last September, Seamus, who operates a plastering firm in Boston, Massachusetts, was detained by ICE officials.
Seamus claimed he possesses a valid work permit and a Massachusetts driver’s licence. He further stated he was just one interview away from obtaining a Green Card following his marriage to American citizen Tiffany Smyth, reports Dublin Live.
He is being held in a tent alongside 72 others at a Texas detention facility. Responding to press coverage of Seamus’ situation, the official ICE X account posted: “This man overstayed his visa… BY 16 YEARS. We are a nation of law and order – overstaying your visa violates federal immigration law.”
Following his detention by ICE, Seamus declined deportation to Ireland, maintaining that he was contesting his arrest given his marriage to a US citizen and possession of a valid work permit.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the US department of homeland security, said Mr Culleton had been afforded the “full due process” and that a pending green card and work authorisation does not grant legal status. The department claims that Seamus exceeded his permitted stay in 2009 under the visa waiver programme.
This scheme allows tourists to stay in the US for up to 90 days without requiring a visa.
Ms McLaughlin said: “He failed to depart the US. He received full due process and was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge on September 10, 2025.”
Ensure our latest news and what’s on headlines always appear at the top of your Google search by making us a preferred source. Click here to activate or add us as a preferred source in your Google search settings.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter.
Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here. Follow us on X @LivECHONews or on Bluesky @liverpoolecho.co.uk- official Liverpool ECHO accounts – real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho – your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
Join the Liverpool ECHO Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community to receive the latest news straight to your phone by clicking here.
