Judge Pauses Deportation of Boston-Area Irish Man Held in Custody for 6 Months

Seamus Culleton, who overstayed a 90-day visa in 2009, will remain in detention in Texas pending resolution of his petition for review.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A U.S. Court of Appeals judge granted Seamus Culleton's stay of removal, pending the resolution of his petition for review. Culleton, an Irish man married to a U.S. citizen from the Boston area, has been held in detention in Texas for six months after being arrested in September 2026 following a trip to Home Depot.

Why it matters

Culleton's case highlights the complex legal issues surrounding immigration and deportation, especially for individuals who have overstayed visas but have established lives and relationships in the United States. The judge's decision to pause his deportation, while not addressing his ongoing detention, provides a temporary reprieve as his case continues to be reviewed.

The details

Seamus Culleton, 39, overstayed a 90-day visa in 2009 and has been in the U.S. for nearly two decades. He owns a small plastering business and has a pending green card application, but was arrested in September 2026 after returning items to a Home Depot in Saugus, Massachusetts, where immigration agents happened to be present. Culleton has no criminal record since living in the U.S., but did fail to appear in court in 2009 on drug-related charges in Ireland.

  • Culleton was arrested on September 9, 2026 after returning items to a Home Depot in Saugus, Massachusetts.
  • On February 13, 2026, a temporary order staying Culleton's removal for 10 business days was granted after he filed a petition to review his administrative final removal order.
  • On March 1, 2026, U.S. Court of Appeals Chief Judge David Barron granted Culleton's stay of removal pending the resolution of his petition for review.

The players

Seamus Culleton

A 39-year-old Irish man married to a U.S. citizen from the Boston area, who has been held in detention in Texas for six months after being arrested in September 2026 following a trip to Home Depot.

Tiffany Smith

Culleton's wife, who has lived her entire life in the Boston area and called his detention "heartbreaking."

Ogor Okoye

Culleton's immigration lawyer, who said they are "committed to advocating for Culleton's right to remain in the United States based on legal merits of his case."

David Barron

The U.S. Court of Appeals Chief Judge who granted Culleton's stay of removal pending the resolution of his petition for review.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are committed to advocating for Culleton's right to remain in the United States based on legal merits of his case. Our focus is on reuniting him with his spouse and ensuring that justice is served within the bounds of our laws.”

— Ogor Okoye, Culleton's immigration lawyer

“I just want him home. I want him safe. Seamus is a good man. He doesn't deserve what is going on. We tried to do everything the right way that you're supposed to do, so I'm just begging, just let us at least finish that.”

— Tiffany Smith, Culleton's wife

What’s next

The judge's stay of removal is pending the resolution of Culleton's petition for review. If the petition is denied, the stay will expire when the mandate is issued.

The takeaway

Culleton's case highlights the complex legal issues surrounding immigration and deportation, especially for individuals who have overstayed visas but have established lives and relationships in the United States. The judge's decision to pause his deportation, while not addressing his ongoing detention, provides a temporary reprieve as his case continues to be reviewed.