Irish Businessman's Harrowing Account of ICE Detention in Texas Facility
An Irish national currently held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is providing a disturbing firsthand account of conditions inside a Texas detention facility, which he characterizes as "absolute hell." Seamus Culleton, originally from County Kilkenny, has been detained for over four months and describes the environment in stark, alarming terms.
"A Modern-Day Concentration Camp"
In an interview with RTÉ's "Liveline" program, Culleton offered a chilling comparison. "The best way I could describe it is probably like a modern-day concentration camp," he stated. Culleton, who has lived in the United States for more than two decades, is married to an American citizen and operates a plastering business near Boston, Massachusetts. His detention occurred unexpectedly in September while he was commuting home from work.
Despite possessing a Massachusetts driver's license and a valid work permit issued by the U.S. government as part of a green card application initiated in April 2025, Culleton was taken into custody. He emphasizes that he has no criminal record whatsoever, not even a minor traffic violation, yet was transferred to the East Montana Detention Facility in El Paso, Texas.
Months of Confinement and Deprivation
Culleton details an existence marked by extreme isolation and neglect. "I've been locked in the same room now for 4 1/2 months," he reported. "I've had barely any outside time, no fresh air, no sunshine. I could probably count on both hands the amount of times I've been outside. So, I've just been locked in this room all day, every day."
He describes the center itself as a collection of temporary tents, estimating it houses roughly a thousand detainees per tent. The daily reality within these confines is one of profound hardship.
Inadequate Food, Filthy Conditions, and Constant Fear
The detainee's testimony reveals systemic issues with basic necessities:
- Severe Food Shortages: Meals are described as "very, very small, kid-sized meals," leaving everyone hungry. With no commissary access, there are no options for supplemental nutrition, leading to competition among detainees and reported favoritism by staff.
- Appalling Sanitation: Culleton labels the facility "filthy," with toilets and showers being "completely nasty, very rarely cleaned."
- Atmosphere of Danger: Most alarmingly, Culleton expresses being "in fear for my life." He alleges violence, stating, "People are being killed by the staff here, by the security staff." The unpredictable environment, with potential for riots, creates a pervasive sense of terror. "It's a nightmare down here," he concluded.
Family Trauma and Pleas for Government Intervention
The ordeal has extended to his family. His wife, Tiffany, described a traumatizing initial phone call that lasted "under a minute" before the line went dead, leaving her without contact for nearly a week as she retrieved his work vehicle.
In a desperate bid for freedom, Culleton is now appealing directly to Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin. He hopes the Prime Minister will raise his case during the upcoming St. Patrick's Day visit to the White House in March. "I don't know how much more I can take," Culleton told the Irish Times.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed awareness of the case, stating it is providing consular assistance through the consulate in Austin, Texas, and that its embassy in Washington, D.C., is engaged with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at a senior level. HuffPost's request for comment from ICE regarding Culleton's allegations did not receive an immediate response.
