ICE hits back at Irishman who described detention center as 'absolute hell' and said he fears for his life

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has hit back at a man from Ireland who's lived in the Boston area for the past 20+ years after he was detained for overstaying his visa.

A Texas court ruling stated Seamus Culleton first entered the US in 2009 on a 90-day tourist visa. However, he has since settled in America, married a US citizen and applied for a green card that would extend his stay and allow him to remain with his partner.

But a federal judge in El Paso has denied the request, and Seamus remains in a detention center, which he's described as 'torture'.

Speaking to RTÉ radio from the El Paso center, the 42-year-old said he's 'in fear for my life here', adding: "The best way I could describe it is probably like a modern-day concentration camp. People have been killed by the security staff here. You don't know what's going to happen on a day-to-day basis. It's a nightmare down here."

The Irish native went on to say he's been locked in a room with over 70 other detainees in poor conditions with insufficient food and drink.

"You don’t know what’s going to happen on a day-to-day basis," he added to RTÉ. "You don’t know if there’s going to be riots, you don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s a nightmare down here. Showers and toilets were 'filthy' and daily meals were child-sized. So everybody is hungry."

The Kilkenny native, who's been held in the center since September 2025, claims he's been in a 'tent' the size of a '16ft by 35ft room with no ceiling'.

"I don't know how much more I can take. I just want to get back to my wife. We're so desperate to start a family," Seamus continued.

ICE has since hit back at the Irishman's comments, with a blunt tweet issued on X.

They said: "This man overstayed his visa... BY 16 YEARS. We are a nation of law and order — overstaying your visa violates federal immigration law."

This man overstayed his visa... BY 16 YEARS.

We are a nation of law and order — overstaying your visa violates federal immigration law. https://t.co/qAErckfxgR

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) February 13, 2026

US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin previously told CNN that Seamus was arrested on September 9 last year and 'received full due process and was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge on September 10, 2025'.

She continued: "He was offered the chance to instantly be removed to Ireland but chose to stay in ICE custody, in fact, he took affirmative steps to remain in detention. A pending green card application and work authorization does not give someone legal status to be in our country."

UNILAD has previously reached out to ICE for comment.