Government must act for Irish citizens detained by ICE
Government must act for Irish citizens detained by ICE - The Labour Party
Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith TD has expressed his deep concern about Irish citizens who have been detained by ICE and has reiterated his calls to the Minister for Foreign Affairs to intervene.
Deputy Smith said:
“Just last week I raised the concerning fact that data showed an increase in Irish citizens interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention and deportation procedures. The testimony from Seamus Culleton, originally from Co.Kilkenny but living in the United States, is absolutely harrowing. Mr Culleton described his experience in detention facilities as being “like a concentration camp”.
“Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that at least 66 Irish citizens have faced deportation procedures in the United States last year. Figures released by ICE show that between January and September 2025 alone, 99 Irish citizens were deported. Yet we still do not know exactly how many additional Irish citizens have been detained or deported since September.
“With this new information coming to light, the Minister must now get a full and clear picture about the situation facing Irish citizens.
“Mr Culleton’s testimony is absolutely harrowing, and marries with what immigration lawyers on the ground tell us about the very real and disturbing conditions that Irish citizens are facing inside ICE detention facilities.
“This Government needs to stand up for Irish citizens abroad . The Minister must seek any and all information from the United States Department of Homeland Security to establish how many Irish citizens are currently detained.
“I am urging Minister McEntee to engage with the United States authorities on this so we can get a full picture of how many people are impacted, where they are and how they are being supported. It beggars belief that there has been such a delay in acting for Irish citizens who deserve protection, dignity and respect.”