Boston-area Irish national facing deportation after 16 years in US

Seamus Culleton, 38, was arrested by ICE in September 2025 and has been detained for 5 months, prompting calls for his release

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An Irishman who has lived in the United States for the last 16 years could be deported at any moment after he was taken into custody by ICE in September 2025 and has been held for the past five months. Seamus Culleton, 38, was arrested by federal agents outside a Home Depot in Saugus, Massachusetts and has since been moved to federal facilities in several states. His attorney and wife are now calling for his immediate release so he can complete the process of adjusting his status to become a lawful resident.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate around immigration enforcement and the treatment of undocumented immigrants, especially those who have lived in the U.S. for an extended period and have started the process of obtaining legal status. It raises questions about the government's discretion in deportation cases and the conditions of immigration detention facilities.

The details

According to his attorney, Ogor Winnie Okoye, Culleton came to the United States in 2009 and owned his own plastering company in Woburn, Massachusetts. He married his wife, Tiffany Smith, in 2025 and had started the process of applying for a visa. Okoye claims the government had already begun processing his green card application before he was taken into custody. Culleton was arrested on September 9, 2025 while returning items to Home Depot, when ICE agents ran his license plate and detained him.

  • Culleton was arrested by ICE on September 9, 2025.
  • Culleton has been detained for the past 5 months since his arrest in September 2025.

The players

Seamus Culleton

A 38-year-old Irishman who has lived in the United States for 16 years and owned his own plastering company in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Tiffany Smith

Culleton's wife, who has been separated from him for the past 5 months since his arrest.

Ogor Winnie Okoye

Culleton's attorney, who is calling for his immediate release so he can complete the process of adjusting his status to become a lawful resident.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Who, in fact, benefits from people being detained for so long?”

— Ogor Winnie Okoye, Culleton's attorney (boston25news.com)

“We're asking for his immediate release so he can complete the process of adjusting his status to a lawful resident of the United States -- a process that's already started and might be consummated if he is released from custody today.”

— Ogor Winnie Okoye, Culleton's attorney (boston25news.com)

“This whole thing has been so overwhelming. Life has just been on hold for the last 5 months.”

— Tiffany Smith, Culleton's wife (boston25news.com)

“It's absolutely heartbreaking... I'm just trying to stay positive for him. Everything is very overwhelming for the both of us right now.”

— Tiffany Smith, Culleton's wife (boston25news.com)

What’s next

Okoye is looking into the possibility of filing another habeas petition, fearing Culleton could be deported back to Ireland at any time.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and often heartbreaking realities faced by undocumented immigrants who have established lives in the U.S., raising questions about the government's discretion in deportation cases and the need for more humane and compassionate immigration policies.