"Detention is a choice" - US officials reject Irish man’s descriptions of ICE facilities

The comments were made following interviews with Kilkenny native Seamus Culleton who claimed the detention centre he was in was like a £modern day concentration camp.£

The Irishman has been living in the United States of America for nearly 20 years, and was apprehended by ICE [immigration customs enforcement] agents last year.

The plasterer has been in a Texas detention centre, 4,000km from his home in Boston, since September.

Appearing on RTÉ Radio 1’s Liveline on Monday, Seamus detailed how his explanations of having a marriage-based petition in place were ignored by ICE agents.

He noted that he was set to receive his Green Card in the foreseeable, but was ignored and sent to the detention centre where he says he "fears for my life."

A statement from Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin told Press Association that claims of subprime conditions were false.

 She said, "ICE has higher detention standards than most US prisons that hold actual US citizens. Being in detention is a choice. We encourage illegal aliens to use the CBP Home app to take control of their departure.

"The US is offering illegal aliens $2,600 (€2,180) and a free flight to self-deport now."

Ms McLoughlin went on to say that a pending green card and work authorisation, which Mr Culleton had, does not grant legal status to be in the United States.

According to the DHS, Mr Culleton came to the United States in 2009 under a visa waiver programme, which allowed him 90 days without a visa. They claim he did not leave after this period.

Ms McLoughlin said: "We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the US the right legal way to live the American dream.

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

Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed Mr Culleton was one of five or six cases of Irish people detained by ICE with each case "varying in terms of status."

He added that the Government would do everything they can to help Mr Culleton.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.