Irish-born husband of U.S. citizen, based in Wakefield, Mass., in ICE detention for 5 months

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did he follow the proper procedures? I see he’s married to a US citizen and is trying to get a green card, but I also read he overstayed a 90 day tourist visa. So wouldn’t he need to go back to Ireland and wait there for some type of visa to come back or issuance of his green card?

It’s a sad situation, but he’s in ICE detention because he refuses to leave voluntarily and follow some sort of process?

These are paperwork violations, not crimes. Why are these people being subjected to imprisonment and torture?

Seriously. Even if this is true (and I've heard the opposite), what kind of demented person would think it's appropriate to lock someone up for months in inhumane conditions of a paperwork issue?

Visa overstays are just as unlawful as someone illegally crossing the southern border on foot.

This guy feels entitled to stay illegally because he is white.

I’m glad that immigration enforcement is not only targeting POC.

None of these people should be treated like criminals unless and until they commit an actual crime. Being in the country illegally is a civil violation. An issue of paperwork, not a crime. ICE shouldn't even be armed. It'd be like arming postal workers. They deal with PAPERWORK ISSUES. If someone they are investigating poses such a threat that they feel the need to be armed, they should involve local police or the FBI. But ICE are not police officers. They do not need to be armed to sort out paperwork issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did he follow the proper procedures? I see he’s married to a US citizen and is trying to get a green card, but I also read he overstayed a 90 day tourist visa. So wouldn’t he need to go back to Ireland and wait there for some type of visa to come back or issuance of his green card?

It’s a sad situation, but he’s in ICE detention because he refuses to leave voluntarily and follow some sort of process?

These are paperwork violations, not crimes. Why are these people being subjected to imprisonment and torture?

Seriously. Even if this is true (and I've heard the opposite), what kind of demented person would think it's appropriate to lock someone up for months in inhumane conditions of a paperwork issue?

Visa overstays are just as unlawful as someone illegally crossing the southern border on foot.

This guy feels entitled to stay illegally because he is white.

I’m glad that immigration enforcement is not only targeting POC.

None of these people should be treated like criminals unless and until they commit an actual crime. Being in the country illegally is a civil violation. An issue of paperwork, not a crime. ICE shouldn't even be armed. It'd be like arming postal workers. They deal with PAPERWORK ISSUES. If someone they are investigating poses such a threat that they feel the need to be armed, they should involve local police or the FBI. But ICE are not police officers. They do not need to be armed to sort out paperwork issues.

Thank you for reminding everyone about this! Maybe someone from senate Dems reads this and learns something. They are still so afraid of being seen as anti cops. Maybe framing ICE as paper pushers will get them to see the absurdity of agents outfitted for war.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did he follow the proper procedures? I see he’s married to a US citizen and is trying to get a green card, but I also read he overstayed a 90 day tourist visa. So wouldn’t he need to go back to Ireland and wait there for some type of visa to come back or issuance of his green card?

It’s a sad situation, but he’s in ICE detention because he refuses to leave voluntarily and follow some sort of process?

These are paperwork violations, not crimes. Why are these people being subjected to imprisonment and torture?

Seriously. Even if this is true (and I've heard the opposite), what kind of demented person would think it's appropriate to lock someone up for months in inhumane conditions of a paperwork issue?

Visa overstays are just as unlawful as someone illegally crossing the southern border on foot.

This guy feels entitled to stay illegally because he is white.

I’m glad that immigration enforcement is not only targeting POC.

None of these people should be treated like criminals unless and until they commit an actual crime. Being in the country illegally is a civil violation. An issue of paperwork, not a crime. ICE shouldn't even be armed. It'd be like arming postal workers. They deal with PAPERWORK ISSUES. If someone they are investigating poses such a threat that they feel the need to be armed, they should involve local police or the FBI. But ICE are not police officers. They do not need to be armed to sort out paperwork issues.

Thank you for reminding everyone about this! Maybe someone from senate Dems reads this and learns something. They are still so afraid of being seen as anti cops. Maybe framing ICE as paper pushers will get them to see the absurdity of agents outfitted for war.

Agree that this is an excellent point. Especially like the comparison to arming the USPS but the contrast works for most federal agencies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did he follow the proper procedures? I see he’s married to a US citizen and is trying to get a green card, but I also read he overstayed a 90 day tourist visa. So wouldn’t he need to go back to Ireland and wait there for some type of visa to come back or issuance of his green card?

It’s a sad situation, but he’s in ICE detention because he refuses to leave voluntarily and follow some sort of process?

These are paperwork violations, not crimes. Why are these people being subjected to imprisonment and torture?

Seriously. Even if this is true (and I've heard the opposite), what kind of demented person would think it's appropriate to lock someone up for months in inhumane conditions of a paperwork issue?

Visa overstays are just as unlawful as someone illegally crossing the southern border on foot.

This guy feels entitled to stay illegally because he is white.

I’m glad that immigration enforcement is not only targeting POC.

None of these people should be treated like criminals unless and until they commit an actual crime. Being in the country illegally is a civil violation. An issue of paperwork, not a crime. ICE shouldn't even be armed. It'd be like arming postal workers. They deal with PAPERWORK ISSUES. If someone they are investigating poses such a threat that they feel the need to be armed, they should involve local police or the FBI. But ICE are not police officers. They do not need to be armed to sort out paperwork issues.

Thank you for reminding everyone about this! Maybe someone from senate Dems reads this and learns something. They are still so afraid of being seen as anti cops. Maybe framing ICE as paper pushers will get them to see the absurdity of agents outfitted for war.

Agree that this is an excellent point. Especially like the comparison to arming the USPS but the contrast works for most federal agencies.

Thank you. I referenced postal workers specifically because they actually have one of the more dangerous jobs, and yet no one is clamoring for them to be armed, but yes, these people are paper pushers and there's literally no reason for them to be out in the streets larping as Rambo to capture people just living their lives who didn't fill out the right paperwork.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t they just put him on a plane back to Ireland? Is it because he has to first go through the courts, get his “day in court” per the due process clause?

I feel like these folks who get taken into custody by ICE should be able to just purchase a plane ticket and have ICE drop them off at the gate. Is that not permitted by our government?

He is imprisoned because he is contesting his deportation. He overstayed his tourist visa in 2009. The article from the Irish Times states,

In Buffalo he was interviewed by an Ice agent, who asked if he would sign a form agreeing to his deportation. Culleton said he refused, and instead ticked a box where detainees can state they wish to contest their arrest. He wrote down that his grounds for contesting were that he was married to a US citizen and had a valid work permit.

ICE made a mistake and if you overstay your visa you don't get due process and can be deported, but the erroneously had him down under another category.

Culleton was initially identified as a VWP [visa-waived tourist] overstay, subject to prompt removal with no right to a bond hearing. Yet, at some point, Respondents confused Culleton as having entered under a non-immigrant visa, and provided him with a bond hearing, at which bond was granted.

But then ICE realized their mistake and fought for him not to be released. So he is in a bit of a legal limbo.

He isn't the type of people that ICE should be prioritizing. On the other hand it probably isn't possible for a US citizen to go to Ireland, overstay the tourist visa, start a business and live there for 20 years without paperwork. He should have gotten married years ago to get a green card. He only got a work permit in 2025.

People are still entitled to due process. That is a completely nonsensical interpretation of the constitution. Detention for people with immigration cases like his is not justified. Detention is limited to people who are a flight risk that are unable to post bond. He has been living here for 20 years and has a wife. There is no reasonably credibly basis to assume he will just disappear and go into hiding to avoid a deportation order if he loses his court case.

Precisely. And that’s why immigration law requires bond hearings. But the Trump admin has been illegally denying them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did he follow the proper procedures? I see he’s married to a US citizen and is trying to get a green card, but I also read he overstayed a 90 day tourist visa. So wouldn’t he need to go back to Ireland and wait there for some type of visa to come back or issuance of his green card?

It’s a sad situation, but he’s in ICE detention because he refuses to leave voluntarily and follow some sort of process?

These are paperwork violations, not crimes. Why are these people being subjected to imprisonment and torture?

Seriously. Even if this is true (and I've heard the opposite), what kind of demented person would think it's appropriate to lock someone up for months in inhumane conditions of a paperwork issue?

Visa overstays are just as unlawful as someone illegally crossing the southern border on foot.

This guy feels entitled to stay illegally because he is white.

I’m glad that immigration enforcement is not only targeting POC.

None of these people should be treated like criminals unless and until they commit an actual crime. Being in the country illegally is a civil violation. An issue of paperwork, not a crime. ICE shouldn't even be armed. It'd be like arming postal workers. They deal with PAPERWORK ISSUES. If someone they are investigating poses such a threat that they feel the need to be armed, they should involve local police or the FBI. But ICE are not police officers. They do not need to be armed to sort out paperwork issues.

This is not about “paperwork issues” - this guy was unlawfully present for years and years. That is not a “paperwork issue” and if you think it is, it belies your assumption that this guy was entitled to be here and if it wasn’t for this little “paperwork issue” it would all be fine. White people need to go through the same processes and vetting as anyone else.

[Anonymous]

Did ice only detain one illegal Irish immigrant? If so, they are really really behind

[Anonymous]

I'd like to see his tax returns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did he follow the proper procedures? I see he’s married to a US citizen and is trying to get a green card, but I also read he overstayed a 90 day tourist visa. So wouldn’t he need to go back to Ireland and wait there for some type of visa to come back or issuance of his green card?

It’s a sad situation, but he’s in ICE detention because he refuses to leave voluntarily and follow some sort of process?

These are paperwork violations, not crimes. Why are these people being subjected to imprisonment and torture?

Seriously. Even if this is true (and I've heard the opposite), what kind of demented person would think it's appropriate to lock someone up for months in inhumane conditions of a paperwork issue?

Visa overstays are just as unlawful as someone illegally crossing the southern border on foot.

This guy feels entitled to stay illegally because he is white.

I’m glad that immigration enforcement is not only targeting POC.

None of these people should be treated like criminals unless and until they commit an actual crime. Being in the country illegally is a civil violation. An issue of paperwork, not a crime. ICE shouldn't even be armed. It'd be like arming postal workers. They deal with PAPERWORK ISSUES. If someone they are investigating poses such a threat that they feel the need to be armed, they should involve local police or the FBI. But ICE are not police officers. They do not need to be armed to sort out paperwork issues.

This is not about “paperwork issues” - this guy was unlawfully present for years and years. That is not a “paperwork issue” and if you think it is, it belies your assumption that this guy was entitled to be here and if it wasn’t for this little “paperwork issue” it would all be fine. White people need to go through the same processes and vetting as anyone else.

I'm talking about all illegal immigrants, not just the white ones. All of this is about paperwork. Civil violations. There's absolutely no justification for the violence and the cruelty, regardless of color or how the person arrived. I believe something like 6% of the people we currently have imprisoned have a criminal history. That means 94 out of 100 are being subjected to violence and torture over not having filled out the proper forms, including children and elderly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did he follow the proper procedures? I see he’s married to a US citizen and is trying to get a green card, but I also read he overstayed a 90 day tourist visa. So wouldn’t he need to go back to Ireland and wait there for some type of visa to come back or issuance of his green card?

It’s a sad situation, but he’s in ICE detention because he refuses to leave voluntarily and follow some sort of process?

These are paperwork violations, not crimes. Why are these people being subjected to imprisonment and torture?

Seriously. Even if this is true (and I've heard the opposite), what kind of demented person would think it's appropriate to lock someone up for months in inhumane conditions of a paperwork issue?

Visa overstays are just as unlawful as someone illegally crossing the southern border on foot.

This guy feels entitled to stay illegally because he is white.

I’m glad that immigration enforcement is not only targeting POC.

None of these people should be treated like criminals unless and until they commit an actual crime. Being in the country illegally is a civil violation. An issue of paperwork, not a crime. ICE shouldn't even be armed. It'd be like arming postal workers. They deal with PAPERWORK ISSUES. If someone they are investigating poses such a threat that they feel the need to be armed, they should involve local police or the FBI. But ICE are not police officers. They do not need to be armed to sort out paperwork issues.

This is not about “paperwork issues” - this guy was unlawfully present for years and years. That is not a “paperwork issue” and if you think it is, it belies your assumption that this guy was entitled to be here and if it wasn’t for this little “paperwork issue” it would all be fine. White people need to go through the same processes and vetting as anyone else.

I'm talking about all illegal immigrants, not just the white ones. All of this is about paperwork. Civil violations. There's absolutely no justification for the violence and the cruelty, regardless of color or how the person arrived. I believe something like 6% of the people we currently have imprisoned have a criminal history. That means 94 out of 100 are being subjected to violence and torture over not having filled out the proper forms, including children and elderly.

DP. Agree 100% that there’s no justification for any violence or cruelty towards these people.

Your stats are wrong, though. Over the last year, between 25-30% of detainees have been convicted of a crime. An additional percentage has pending criminal charges.

See tracreports website for details.

[Anonymous]

Visa overstays should be deported, but the punishment doesn't fit the "crime". It's a misdemeanor to overstay your visa. It's like saying if you get a speeding ticket you deserve to be locked up in a cage and brutalized for six months.

How many MAGA have speeding tickets? FFS, several MAGA terrorized US congress people and destroyed the Capitol, yet our illustrious (/s) POTUS gave them pardons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Visa overstays should be deported, but the punishment doesn't fit the "crime". It's a misdemeanor to overstay your visa. It's like saying if you get a speeding ticket you deserve to be locked up in a cage and brutalized for six months.

How many MAGA have speeding tickets? FFS, several MAGA terrorized US congress people and destroyed the Capitol, yet our illustrious (/s) POTUS gave them pardons.

Misdemeanors are punishable up to 1 year in jail. Our overly liberal justice system has really downplayed the consequences of crimes too much probation, restorative justice and rehabilitation/counseling where they should be thrown in the slammer for up to a year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Visa overstays should be deported, but the punishment doesn't fit the "crime". It's a misdemeanor to overstay your visa. It's like saying if you get a speeding ticket you deserve to be locked up in a cage and brutalized for six months.

How many MAGA have speeding tickets? FFS, several MAGA terrorized US congress people and destroyed the Capitol, yet our illustrious (/s) POTUS gave them pardons.

Misdemeanors are punishable up to 1 year in jail. Our overly liberal justice system has really downplayed the consequences of crimes too much probation, restorative justice and rehabilitation/counseling where they should be thrown in the slammer for up to a year

Keep this energy when we put the ICE agents on trial

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did he follow the proper procedures? I see he’s married to a US citizen and is trying to get a green card, but I also read he overstayed a 90 day tourist visa. So wouldn’t he need to go back to Ireland and wait there for some type of visa to come back or issuance of his green card?

It’s a sad situation, but he’s in ICE detention because he refuses to leave voluntarily and follow some sort of process?

These are paperwork violations, not crimes. Why are these people being subjected to imprisonment and torture?

Seriously. Even if this is true (and I've heard the opposite), what kind of demented person would think it's appropriate to lock someone up for months in inhumane conditions of a paperwork issue?

Visa overstays are just as unlawful as someone illegally crossing the southern border on foot.

This guy feels entitled to stay illegally because he is white.

I’m glad that immigration enforcement is not only targeting POC.

None of these people should be treated like criminals unless and until they commit an actual crime. Being in the country illegally is a civil violation. An issue of paperwork, not a crime. ICE shouldn't even be armed. It'd be like arming postal workers. They deal with PAPERWORK ISSUES. If someone they are investigating poses such a threat that they feel the need to be armed, they should involve local police or the FBI. But ICE are not police officers. They do not need to be armed to sort out paperwork issues.

This is not about “paperwork issues” - this guy was unlawfully present for years and years. That is not a “paperwork issue” and if you think it is, it belies your assumption that this guy was entitled to be here and if it wasn’t for this little “paperwork issue” it would all be fine. White people need to go through the same processes and vetting as anyone else.

Then, send him to Ireland- it is too costly to keep him here.

[Anonymous]

This whole overstaying the visa argument is flawed. Yes he did, but that was in the last. It's like prosecuting someone for speeding 15 years ago.

His current situation:
Culleton entered the US in 2009 on a visa waiver programme and overstayed the 90-day limit but after marrying a US citizen, Tiffany Smyth, and applying for lawful permanent residence, he obtained a statutory exemption that allowed him to work, according to his lawyer, Ogor Winnie Okoye.

The detention prevented him from attending the final interview in October for his green card that would have confirmed his legal status, said Okoye. “It’s inexplicable that this man has been in detention.”