Media Whines About Irish Man Held by ICE, But Here's Why He's Really in Trouble

Corporate media outlets have once again rushed to frame an immigration case as evidence of an alleged “crackdown,” but key facts tell a very different story.

Several publications highlighted the detention of Irish national Seamus Culleton, portraying him as a sympathetic figure caught up in enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Headlines such as “Irishman fears for life after Trump ICE crackdown” and “An American dream morphs into a nightmare” accompanied emotional images of Culleton and his American wife, Tiffany Smyth.

What many of those reports failed to emphasize, however, is that Culleton is reportedly facing serious legal trouble in his home country — and is choosing to remain in U.S. custody.

According to Garreth MacNamee, deputy news editor of the Irish Daily Mail, Culleton is dealing with multiple drug-related charges in Ireland.

“Today, we’ve confirmed that Seamus Culleton who is being detained by ICE in the US was facing three charges relating to drugs offences,” MacNamee revealed on X.

That context significantly undercuts the narrative that Culleton is simply a victim of immigration enforcement. Instead, it raises a far more pressing question: Is remaining in ICE detention preferable to answering for pending criminal charges abroad?

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin addressed the matter directly, clarifying that Culleton was unlawfully present in the United States.

“On September 9, 2025, ICE arrested Seamus Culleton, an illegal alien from Ireland. He entered the United States in 2009 under the visa waiver program, which allows you to stay in the U.S. for 90 days without a visa,” she wrote on X.

“He failed to depart the U.S. He received full due process and was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge on September 10, 2025.”

In other words, this was not an arbitrary detention. It followed established legal procedures, including a hearing before an immigration judge and a final order of removal — precisely the due process safeguards critics often claim are missing.

Even more striking is the fact that Culleton was reportedly offered a flight back to Ireland but declined it. According to McLaughlin, he instead “chose to stay in ICE custody, in fact he took affirmative steps to remain in detention.”

“Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to use the CBP Home app to take control of their departure,” McLaughlin continued.

The administration of President Donald J. Trump, now serving his second term as President of the United States, has made clear that immigration enforcement will prioritize both the rule of law and humane off-ramps for those unlawfully present. McLaughlin emphasized that the federal government is even offering financial incentives for voluntary departure.

“The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream,” she continued.

“If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”

While sympathetic headlines may drive clicks, the facts remain straightforward. An individual who overstayed his visa, received due process, and faces drug charges abroad is choosing to remain in detention rather than accept removal.

In an era where media narratives often eclipse legal realities, this case serves as a reminder: enforcing immigration law is not persecution — it is the execution of sovereign authority and constitutional governance.