Irish Man Detained for Months in Texas Immigration Facility

Seamus Culleton compares conditions at El Paso Camp East Montana to a "concentration camp" as he awaits green card process

Feb. 9, 2026 at 4:39pm

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Seamus Culleton, an Irish national who has lived in the United States for over 20 years, has been detained for five months at a federal immigration facility in El Paso, Texas. Culleton, who has a valid work permit and was in the process of obtaining a green card, described the conditions at the facility as "like a concentration camp, absolute hell." He has been held without charges and denied bond, despite his attorney's claims that he was "properly going through the green card legal process."

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about the treatment of immigrants in U.S. detention facilities, especially those who are legally in the process of obtaining permanent residency. Culleton's detention without charges and the alleged poor conditions at the facility raise questions about due process and humane treatment of detainees.

The details

Culleton, a 38-year-old native of Ireland, was arrested by ICE officers in September 2025 while returning from his job as a plasterer in Massachusetts. Despite having a valid work permit and being in the process of obtaining a green card, he has been held at the El Paso Camp East Montana facility for five months. Culleton has described the facility as having "filthy" bathrooms, inadequate food, and an atmosphere of "anxiety and depression" due to the majority of detainees not speaking English. A judge approved Culleton's release on bond in November, but the government later denied the bond. Culleton's attorney has accused federal officials of acting in an "inept" and "capricious" manner, and claims there are irregularities in the court documents submitted by ICE.

  • Culleton was arrested by ICE on September 9, 2025.
  • A judge approved Culleton's release on $4,000 bond during a hearing in November 2025.
  • Culleton's bond was later denied by government officials.
  • Culleton's last scheduled court date was in early January 2026 but was rescheduled at the last minute.

The players

Seamus Culleton

A 38-year-old Irish national who has lived in the United States for over 20 years and was in the process of obtaining a green card when he was detained by ICE.

Tiffany Smyth

Culleton's wife, a U.S. citizen.

Ogor Winnie Okoye

Culleton's Massachusetts-based attorney, who has accused federal officials of acting in an "inept" and "capricious" manner.

Geraldo Lunas Campos

A 55-year-old Cuban immigrant who died at the El Paso Camp East Montana facility, with his death ruled a homicide due to physical restraint by guards.

Micheál Martin

The Prime Minister of Ireland, whom Culleton has called on to discuss his detention with President Donald Trump.

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What they’re saying

“Not even a parking ticket,”

— Seamus Culleton

“My whole life is here. I worked so hard to build my business. My wife is here.”

— Seamus Culleton

“To know he was just taken, and he or I had no idea where they were taking him, was traumatizing.”

— Tiffany Smyth, Culleton's wife

“Honestly, because you know, people have been killed by the staff here, by the security staff, you know. And you just don't know what's going to happen on a day-to-day basis. You don't know if there's going to be riots, you don't know if there's going to be...you don't know what's going to happen. It's just a nightmare.”

— Seamus Culleton

“There's a little bit of discrimination I guess against English speakers here. The Spanish speakers definitely get a preference when it comes to extra food, if there's any extra food left over. Because all the staff are kind of Hispanic, and they kind of stick with their own when it comes to that kind of stuff.”

— Seamus Culleton

What’s next

Culleton's attorney plans to speak with him early Tuesday to discuss the next steps in his case, including potentially having his signature on deportation documents examined by handwriting experts and using video footage of his interview with ICE officials in Buffalo to prove he did not agree to be deported.

The takeaway

This case highlights the troubling treatment of immigrants, even those legally in the process of obtaining permanent residency, in U.S. detention facilities. Culleton's prolonged detention without charges, the alleged poor conditions at the facility, and the lack of clarity around his case raise serious concerns about due process and humane treatment of detainees.