Quick Read
- Irish citizen Seamus Culleton was detained by ICE in September 2025.
- He has a U.S. work permit and a pending green card application.
- After five months in custody, he received a temporary order postponing his deportation on February 17, 2026.
- His daughter, Heather Morrisey, discussed his detention on February 18, 2026.
- Culleton is married to an American woman and operates a construction company in Boston.
BOSTON (Azat TV) – Irish citizen Seamus Culleton, who has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for five months, received a temporary order postponing his deportation yesterday. The reprieve comes as his case, involving a pending green card application and a U.S. work permit, has garnered significant public attention, amplified by recent statements from both Culleton and his daughter.
Seamus Culleton’s Five-Month ICE Detention
Culleton, an Irish national married to an American woman and operating a construction company in Boston, was arrested by ICE officers in September 2025. The arrest occurred as he was leaving a Home Depot store, leading to his transfer to a detention facility. Despite holding a valid U.S. work permit and having a green card application pending, Culleton has remained in custody for half a year, a situation that has drawn scrutiny from immigration advocates and the public.
His detention highlights a challenging aspect of U.S. immigration enforcement, where individuals with ongoing legal processes can find themselves in prolonged custody. Culleton’s case has resonated with many who question the necessity of detaining individuals who are actively pursuing legal residency and have established lives and businesses in the United States.
Public Outcry and Deportation Reprieve
The temporary order postponing Seamus Culleton’s deportation was issued on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, offering a momentary pause in a process that could have seen him removed from the U.S. This development follows a period of heightened public discourse surrounding his situation. Culleton himself spoke out last week, sharing details of his detention and the uncertainty he faced, which sparked widespread discussion in Ireland and among Irish diaspora communities in the U.S. His statements prompted significant media attention, including a recent interview with his daughter.
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, his twin daughter, Heather Morrisey, joined Andrea on Newstalk to discuss her father’s detainment. Her candid remarks further amplified the public’s awareness and concern, drawing further attention to the human impact of immigration policies. The temporary reprieve offers a critical window for legal counsel to explore further avenues to secure his long-term residency.
Family’s Plea and Broader Immigration Context
The Culleton family’s public advocacy underscores the emotional toll and systemic challenges faced by those navigating the U.S. immigration system. Heather Morrisey’s willingness to speak out has put a personal face on a complex issue, illustrating how ICE enforcement actions can disrupt families and livelihoods, even when individuals have strong ties to the U.S. and are following legal pathways for residency.
While the temporary postponement is a positive step, it is not a final resolution. It provides a chance for Culleton’s legal team to present his case more comprehensively, potentially arguing for his release and the advancement of his green card application. This case continues to serve as a focal point for discussions about immigration reform, the discretion of enforcement agencies, and the balance between national security and humanitarian considerations.
The temporary reprieve for Seamus Culleton highlights the complex interplay between individual immigration cases, ongoing legal processes, and the increasing role of public advocacy in challenging detention and deportation orders within the U.S. immigration system.