Number of Irish citizens deported from US up by more than 50%

The variety of Irish residents deported from america has risen by greater than 50% to this point in 2025 in comparison with the earlier 12 months, figures launched to BBC Information NI present.

Between January and September 2025, 99 Irish individuals have been deported, in response to statistics from america Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit.

This compares to 60 deportations between October 2023 and September 2024. A US immigration lawyer informed BBC Information NI the quantity had elevated since President Donald Trump’s election.

A spokesperson for ICE stated: “People who’re within the US lawfully and haven’t violated immigration legal guidelines or dedicated crimes haven’t any cause to worry enforcement actions.”

Claire Doutre, an immigration legal professional with McEntee Regulation, stated many individuals have been now dealing with extra intense enforcement of immigration legislation, together with Irish residents.

“The most important change is that we’re seeing much more individuals with out felony backgrounds, who’ve been right here for years, getting detained,” she stated.

She added that many being detained and deported entered the US lawfully however overstayed their visas.

“Everyone is in danger proper now.”

A US Navy veteran whose Irish citizen spouse is ready to be deported as a result of two prior convictions for fraud described the latest crackdown as “insane”.

Jim Brown’s spouse Donna Hughes-Brown has lived within the US since she was a toddler however faces deportation for 2 convictions, which he stated stems from writing dangerous cheques for $49 and $22 greater than a decade in the past.

“They hold speaking about all of the dangerous individuals. Donna just isn’t that individual. Sure, she’s made errors, however who hasn’t,” he informed BBC Information NI.

It’s believed there are greater than 100,000 Irish residents dwelling within the US.

Figures launched to BBC Information NI present that between 1 January this 12 months and 29 September, 99 Irish residents have been deported.

This is a rise of greater than 50% in comparison with the 2024 fiscal 12 months – from October 2023 to September 2024 – throughout which 60 Irish residents have been deported.

In earlier years the variety of deportations per fiscal 12 months have been:

• 2023: 37
• 2022: 17
• 2021: 10
• 2020: 19

The variety of Irish residents within the US who’ve requested help from the Irish Division of International Affairs (DFA) in relation to deportation has additionally elevated in the previous few years.

Statistics supplied to BBC Information NI from the DFA present that between 1 January and 25 September 2025 there have been 51 requests – up from 15 in 2024.

Within the final 5 years the following highest variety of requests was 18 in 2023, whereas the figures went as little as 5 in 2021.

According to information from the United States government, authorities can detain and doubtlessly deport non-citizens who take part in criminality; are thought of a menace to public security; or violate their visa.

Jim Brown informed BBC Information NI his spouse has been detained in an ICE facility for 90 days and is due for deportation to Eire, a rustic she has not lived in since she was a toddler, over two fraud convictions.

Ms Hughes-Brown, an Irish citizen, has lived within the US since her mother and father moved to the nation within the Nineteen Seventies. She has held a inexperienced card since she was 18.

Mr Brown stated she doesn’t “deserve” to be detained because the convictions relate to 2 dangerous cheques at “a grocery retailer”, written in 2012 and 2015, for $49 and $22.

He stated the dangerous cheques have been as a result of Mrs Hughes-Brown being unable to afford to feed her household on the time.

“She was attempting to outlive,” he stated.

ICE confirmed the dates and nature of the 2 convictions, however didn’t reply when requested to substantiate the particular figures.

Mr Brown, who served within the US Navy for 20 years together with within the Gulf Conflict, stated it’s “not solely mistaken, but in addition a waste of cash” that his spouse has been jailed for “such minor” infractions.

A spokesperson for ICE stated that, when re-entering the US in July, Mrs Hughes-Brown was “referred to secondary inspection as a result of her prior felony historical past, which incorporates two convictions for fraud involving the passing of dangerous checks, one in 2012 and one other for 2015”.

“Following the inspection, she was arrested and subsequently transferred to ICE custody, the place she was positioned in elimination proceedings.”

The assertion added that ICE is “prioritizing the elimination of felony alien offenders who pose a menace to public security and the rule of legislation”.

The US authorities has stated it might detain and doubtlessly deport non-citizens who take part in criminality; are thought of a menace to public security; or violate their visa.

Mr Brown stated the ability wherein Mrs Hughes-Brown has been detained is “terrible”, including that detainees are getting unhealthy meals and should not having their medical wants met.

“The bathroom was backed up for per week, and there may be 25 girls to a bathroom. They needed to sit there and scent that for per week.

“It is mistaken. It is simply mistaken.”

Mr Brown added that authorities on the facility had failed to supply his spouse medicine, which he stated she wants.

A senior official on the Division for Homeland Safety (DHS) stated ICE have “among the many highest detention requirements” within the US.

“All detainees are supplied with correct meals, medical remedy, and have alternatives to speak with attorneys and their relations.”

The assertion added that ICE offers “complete medical care from the second an alien enters ICE custody”, and that “meals are licensed by dieticians”.

“Guaranteeing the protection, safety, and wellbeing of people in our custody is a high precedence at ICE.”

Mr Brown, who described the federal government’s actions as “overreach” and “egregious”, stated he was nervous he will probably be separated from his spouse long-term.

Ms Doutre stated it had change into “virtually inconceivable” for these detained by ICE to acquire bail.

“If I take a look at it from an effectivity and financial aspect, [the US is] losing cash. It’s wild that that is occurring,” she added.

Ms Doutre additionally stated detainees are sometimes saved at services with “deplorable” situations.

She added that she expects ICE enforcement to accentuate, and that the recommendation her and her colleagues supply to purchasers has modified.

“There isn’t any room for error. Each case is so scrutinised that we actually want individuals to go in ready.

“When you’re in detention, it’s actually onerous to work in your case. My recommendation proper now’s line up an legal professional, put together your case forward of time, and get all of your proof prepared.”

A senior DHS official informed BBC Information NI that “lawful everlasting residents presenting at a US port of entry with sure felony convictions could also be discovered inadmissible, positioned in elimination proceedings, and topic to necessary detention”.

A spokesperson for the Irish DFA stated: “The place a citizen does request consular help because of an impending deportation, the division can help with offering data on the deportation preparations, contacting household/associates on the request of the citizen and offering an inventory of English-speaking attorneys.”