logo
Case of Irish tourist detained in US after outstaying visa by three days 'disgraceful'

Case of Irish tourist detained in US after outstaying visa by three days 'disgraceful'

The Journal15-07-2025
AN IRISH-AMERICAN lawyer has said he is 'not surprised' to hear that an Irish tourist was jailed in the US for three months after he overstayed his visa by three days.
Brian O'Dwyer, a veteran Irish-American lawyer and a well-known immigration activist, told
The Journal
: 'The idea is to be as mean spirited, as cruel as you can be, so to discourage people from from overstaying their visas.
'It's an absolutely horrendous way, and it's frankly disgraceful, but it is certainly what's happening right now.'
According to
The Guardian newspaper
, the man spent two months in a detention centre run by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) before being moved to a federal prison. He returned to Ireland in March.
'Thomas', who spoke to the newspaper anonymously, said that while visiting his girlfriend in the states, he tore his calf and was told by a doctor not to travel for eight to 12 weeks, which meant he had to remain in the US until slightly after his visa expired.
He said he sought an extension from the Irish and American embassies and the Department of Homeland Security, but did not hear back from them.
After suffering a mental health episode in a hotel room with his girlfriend, police were called and Thomas was taken to jail. When he was released on bond, he was picked up by US immigration authorities and taken to an ICE processing centre in Georgia.
On 17 December, he signed a form agreeing to be removed from the US, but instead of being deported, he remained in custody after Donald Trump took office and was unable to get answers as to why ICE were still keeping him in custody.
Advertisement
In February, around two months after he was detained, he was moved from Georgia to a prison in Atlanta which houses criminal defendants on federal charges. Thomas told The Guardian that the conditions here were worse than in Georgia.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has been contacted by
The Journal
for comment.
Speaking to
The Journal
, O'Dwyer said he was 'not surprised' to hear about the case.
'This is not unusual for what has basically become a very cruel way of enforcing the law in the United States right now,' he said.
Since he came into office, US President Donald Trump has been pouring resources into arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants as he aims to carry out the immigration purge that was promised during his presidential campaign.
Today,
the Washington Post
is reporting that immigrants who arrive in the US without documents will no longer be eligible for bond hearings and will be detained for the duration of their removal proceedings, which can take months or years.
'They are ratcheting it up so that they can keep people in detention for as long as they want and and that's as frightening as as can be,' O'Dwyer said.
The man who spoke to The Guardian is the latest Irish person to be detained by US immigration officials in recent months.
Last month, a Donegal man who had lived in Boston for more than 15 years
was deported to Ireland
less than a month after he was detained for violating his visa waiver. The man, who is the father to two American-born children,
had joined the waiting list for green card applications three years ago
.
In April, Irish woman Cliona Ward, who has been a legal resident of California for 30 years, was detained by ICE for three weeks after returning from a trip to Ireland to visit her sick father.
Related Reads
Irish woman detained by US immigration to be released after charges dropped in court
'Fear across the board' for undocumented Irish in the United States, says immigration lawyer
Undocumented Irish not forgotten as Harris says immigration is 'sensitive' topic in US right now
She was taken into custody after complying with a request to report to an immigration facility and presented documents showing that her decades-old drug and motor vehicle convictions had been expunged, which was not recognised under federal law.
She was released in May
.
O'Dwyer said the details of the length of time the man was detained is similar to the experiences of people he knows of who were detained.
'Once they were told that they were out of status and they had to go, what they said to the immigration authorities was 'Okay, I'm ready to go. I'll get on the plane and go'. But they kept them in detention for many, many days, basically just to give them a hard time.'
He said the case is somewhat unusual given it involved a tourist, which is something he said he has not seen as yet amid the ICE raids and detentions. But he said it was still unsurprising that it happened.
'There is a marked decrease in the number of Irish coming to the United States,' he said. Figures published earlier this year showed tourism from Ireland to the US was down 27% in March.
'Something like this, of course, will only heighten the decrease in tourism. We've also seen a huge decline in J1 visas as well, because people were just not going to put up with this type of stuff,' O'Dwyer said.
Asked what advice he would give to Irish people thinking of travelling to the US, he said: 'I'd be very careful.
'Unless they were 100% sure that their papers were in order, I wouldn't come.'
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

EU pushing to cap future tariffs on pharma in US deal
EU pushing to cap future tariffs on pharma in US deal

Irish Times

timean hour ago

  • Irish Times

EU pushing to cap future tariffs on pharma in US deal

The European Union is pushing for any future tariffs on pharmaceutical products sold to the United States to be capped at a blanket 15 per cent rate, in ongoing trade negotiations with US President Donald Trump's administration. Pharmaceutical products have emerged as one potential sticking point in intense EU-US negotiations to land a tariff agreement in the next eight days. The latest outline of a possible deal – the shape of which has changed several times over recent weeks – would see the EU agree to accept tariffs of 15 per cent being charged on most goods sold to the US. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm negotiating for the 27-state bloc, is pushing to have tariffs on pharmaceutical products and cars capped at that level. READ MORE Negotiators for the Trump administration want possible trade levies on pharmaceuticals to be dealt with separately, leaving the door open to the sector facing significantly higher import duties. The fate of pharmaceuticals in any tariff deal has been a key concern of the Government. The industry accounts for the vast majority of the Republic's huge flow of trade across the Atlantic, due to the large number of US pharma giants with manufacturing plants in Ireland. [ Pharma companies unprepared for production shift amid US tariffs Opens in new window ] To date the sector has not been hit with any tariffs, which are effectively taxes on imports. Though Mr Trump has repeatedly said hefty levies are coming, as a way to force drugmakers to relocate manufacturing capacity and jobs to the US. There is some optimism inside the commission that a EU-US deal could be done in the coming days. However, sources in both Dublin and Brussels stressed the unpredictable nature of the talks, which could equally run right up to an August 1st deadline set by Mr Trump, or beyond. Most European businesses have faced US tariffs of 10 per cent since early April, with Mr Trump levelling higher rates of 25 per cent on imports of cars, and a 50 per cent levy on steel and aluminium. How will the updated National Development Plan shape Ireland in years to come? Listen | 35:59 The outline of a potential deal being hammered out could see tariffs on EU-made cars brought down to 15 per cent, in what would be a bit of a reprieve for Germany's large automobile industry. It is understood existing tariffs on steel may be dealt with separately, possibly through some workaround such as a quota system, to lessen the impact of the US import duties. Several sources briefed on the ongoing negotiations said a 15 per cent tariff on most EU products sold to the US appeared largely settled between the two sides. [ EU backs potential counter-tariffs on €93bn of US goods if no deal Opens in new window ] Much of the recent focus of talks between officials has been on specific sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, cars, steel, and semiconductors. Any negotiated agreement would be subject to a final sign off by Mr Trump. Some European industries would be exempt from US tariffs, with aircraft, spirits and some medical devices believed to be in the frame to be spared, according to several sources. Both sides were close to a deal earlier this month, before Mr Trump instead threatened to triple existing tariffs charged on EU trade to 30 per cent from August 1st. European governments have been keen to agree some type of bare bones trade agreement with the US, to avoid the prospect of those higher tariffs kicking in.

Jeremy Corbyn is signing people up for his new (as yet unnamed) political party
Jeremy Corbyn is signing people up for his new (as yet unnamed) political party

The Journal

timean hour ago

  • The Journal

Jeremy Corbyn is signing people up for his new (as yet unnamed) political party

FORMER LABOUR LEADER Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed that he has launched a new political party he has co-founded with Zarah Sultana. However, there was confusion over what the new party is actually called. It appeared that the new party was called 'Your Party', however Sultana has since said on X that this is not the case. 'It's not called Your Party!,' said Sultana in response to a post on X stating that the party was named Your Party. The Journal / YouTube A form on the new party's website invites people to sign up for updates on the 'new party that develops from' the Your Party initiative. Sultana has since said that party members will decide upon the name and posted to X: 'We're doing things differently with democracy and inclusivity at the core'. 'From the launch to the party, conference, structures and yes – even the name! – we're building it together.' Unlike Reform, we're doing things differently with democracy & inclusivity at the core. From the launch to the party, conference, structures & yes - even the name! - we're building it together. It might feel unfamiliar to you. It's called democracy. 🔗 — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 24, 2025 'New Party' Earlier this month, former Labour MP Sultana announced that she was resigning from the party and that she would 'co-lead the founding of a new party' with the ex-Labour leader. In a statement posted on X, Sultana said that the project would also involve 'other independent MPs, campaigners and activists across the country'. Today, after 14 years, I'm resigning from the Labour Party. Jeremy Corbyn and I will co-lead the founding of a new party, with other Independent MPs, campaigners and activists across the country. Join us. The time is now. Sign up here to stay updated: — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 3, 2025 However, there had been reports that Corbyn wasn't fully briefed on Sultana's announcement and in a statement the day after, Corbyn said 'discussions are ongoing' around the founding of a new party. Advertisement Real change is coming. — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) July 4, 2025 In a post this afternoon on X, Corbyn shared a joint statement with Sultana that said it is 'time for a new kind of political party'. Corbyn has called on supporters to sign up ahead of an inaugural conference at some point in the future. 'At this conference, you will decide the party's direction, the model of leadership and the policies that are needed to transform society,' said the statement shared by Corbyn. The statement added that the 'system is rigged' and noted that 4.5 million children live in relative poverty in the UK. 'We cannot accept these injustices – and neither should you,' said the statement. The new party promises to 'fix the crises in our society with a mass redistribution of wealth and power' by 'taxing the very richest in our society'. The statement also remarks that 'millions of people are horrified by the UK Government's complicity in crimes against humanity'. 'This is why we will keep demanding an end to all arms sales to Israel, and for the only path to peace: a free and independent Palestine.' It's time for a new kind of political party - one that belongs to you. Sign up at . — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) July 24, 2025 Corbyn led Labour from 2015 to April 2020, stepping down after the party's loss at the 2019 general election. He was suspended from Labour in 2020 after he refused to fully accept the Equality and Human Rights Commission's findings that the party broke equality law when he was in charge, and said antisemitism had been 'dramatically overstated for political reasons'. Sultana meanwhile has attacked the UK Government's policies on welfare and Gaza. She was one of seven MPs who had the Labour whip suspended last summer when they supported an amendment to the King's Speech which related to the two-child benefit cap. Four of the seven had the whip restored earlier this year but Sultana was not among them. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

Could Rosie O'Donnell run for president?
Could Rosie O'Donnell run for president?

Extra.ie​

time2 hours ago

  • Extra.ie​

Could Rosie O'Donnell run for president?

Could Rosie O'Donnell's name appear on the ballot paper this November? Bookies aren't ruling it out! The comedian and actress has been living in Ireland with her child, Clay, since January, after Donald Trump, with whom she has been in a very public feud, was re-elected for a second term in the 2024 Presidential election. Now, Ladbrokes are saying Rosie could put herself forward for Irish presidency, especially since she is seeking Irish citizenship through descent, which would make her eligible. Rosie O'Donnell. Pic:for ELLE Punters seem to have taken to O'Donnell, who has been outspoken about her love for Ireland. She is currently 10/1 to run in the election in November. Ladbrokes spokesperson Cal Gildart said: 'Rosie O'Donnell has really captured the hearts and minds of the Irish people. 'Her endearing charm has led punters to back her for a run at the presidency. We may see her appearing on a ballot paper in November.' Rosie O'Donnell. Pic: MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock Speaking on Ireland AM earlier this month, Rosie explained that she feels 'so much safer' in Ireland. She said: 'It's so much safer. In fact, [Clay's] with friends walking places now. And when I was first here, they were telling me when we were looking for places to stay and live, they were like 'oh [it's] a great place because they'll be able to take their back to school.' 'And I was like 'over my dead body, they're not riding a bike to school.' And now they're able to do that. It's just such a different culture and different feeling of safety for Clay as well as me.' So far, only Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness have officially anounced their presidential bid.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store