Irish Immigrant Faces Deportation After 20-Year Visa Overstay

Seamus Culleton's case highlights ongoing tensions over immigration policy under the Trump administration.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A 45-year-old Irish immigrant named Seamus Culleton is facing deportation after overstaying his visitor visa by 20 years. Culleton's lawyers have secured a temporary 10-day delay in his removal, but he is unlikely to avoid deportation due to a 1996 law that imposes a 10-year bar on reentry for migrants who overstay their visas for more than a year. Culleton's case has become a political flashpoint, with the Irish government and media outlets lobbying to keep him in the U.S. while the Trump administration continues its crackdown on illegal immigration.

Why it matters

Culleton's case is the latest example of the Trump administration's hardline stance on immigration enforcement, which has faced pushback from pro-immigration groups and some foreign governments. The debate over Culleton's deportation reflects the broader political tensions around Trump's efforts to reduce both legal and illegal immigration to the U.S.

The details

Culleton, who has no U.S. criminal record but is married to an American, has been detained in an ICE facility in El Paso, Texas for nearly five months. His lawyers argue he should be allowed to stay and apply for a green card, but a federal judge has confirmed his deportation order. The Trump administration has deported 99 Irish citizens between January and September 2025 as part of its broader crackdown on illegal immigration.

  • Culleton has overstayed his 90-day visitor visa by 20 years.
  • On February 13, 2025, a federal appeals court in Texas granted Culleton a temporary 10-day stay of removal.
  • Culleton's deportation order is set to be carried out on February 23, 2025 when the temporary stay expires.

The players

Seamus Culleton

A 45-year-old Irish immigrant who has overstayed his visitor visa by 20 years and is facing deportation from the U.S.

Ogor Winnie Okoye

Culleton's Boston-based lawyer, who is arguing that he should be allowed to stay and apply for a green card.

Niall O'Dowd

The founder of several Irish-oriented U.S. media outlets, who has criticized the Trump administration's deportation efforts as racially-motivated.

Micheál Martin

The pro-immigration Prime Minister of Ireland, who Culleton has urged to intervene on his behalf with President Trump.

Tricia McLaughlin

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, who has stated that Culleton will be deported since he has a final deportation order from a judge.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.