The variety of Irish residents deported from America elevated by greater than 50%

The variety of Irish residents deported from the United States has elevated by greater than 50% up to now in 2025 in comparison with the earlier yr, knowledge launched to BBC News NI reveals.

According to knowledge from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit, 99 Irish folks have been deported between January and September 2025.

This compares with 60 deportations between October 2023 and September 2024. A US immigration lawyer advised BBC News NI that the quantity has elevated because the election of President Donald Trump.

An ICE spokesperson mentioned: “Individuals who are in the US lawfully and have not violated immigration laws or committed a crime have no reason to fear enforcement action.”

Claire Daughtrey, an immigration lawyer at McEntee Law, mentioned many individuals at the moment are going through extra intensive enforcement of immigration legislation, together with Irish residents.

“The biggest change is that we're seeing a lot of people being detained with no criminal background who have been here for years,” he mentioned.

He mentioned lots of these detained and deported entered the US legally however overstayed their visas.

“Everyone is at risk right now.”

A US Navy veteran whose Irish-citizen spouse is to be deported due to two prior convictions for fraud described the most recent motion as “insane”.

Jim Brown's spouse, Donna Hughes-Brown, has lived within the United States since childhood, however she faces deportation for 2 convictions that she mentioned stemmed from writing unhealthy checks for $49 and $22 greater than a decade in the past.

“They all keep talking about bad people. Donna's not that person. Yes, she's made mistakes, but who hasn't,” he advised BBC News NI.

It is believed that there are greater than 100,000 Irish residents residing within the US.

Figures launched to BBC News NI present that 99 Irish residents have been deported between January 1 and September 29 this yr.

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

The variety of deportations per fiscal yr in earlier years was:

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

The variety of Irish residents requesting help from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) relating to deportation to the US has additionally elevated over time.

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

The subsequent highest variety of requests within the final 5 years was 18 in 2023, whereas the determine dropped to lower than 5 in 2021.

According to data obtained from the United States GovernmentAuthorities can detain and doubtlessly deport noncitizens who take part in crimes; Is thought-about a menace to public security; Or violate their visa.

Jim Brown advised BBC News NI that his spouse has been detained in an ICE facility for 90 days on two counts of fraud and is to be deported to Ireland, a rustic she has not lived in since childhood.

Ms Hughes-Brown, an Irish nationwide, has lived within the US since her dad and mom moved to the nation within the Seventies. She has had a inexperienced card since she was 18 years previous.

Mr Brown mentioned she was not “eligible” for detention as a result of the conviction associated to 2 unhealthy checks on “a grocery store”, written in 2012 and 2015 for $49 and $22.

He mentioned the unhealthy checks have been attributable to Mrs Hughes-Brown being unable to help her household on the time.

“She was trying to survive,” he mentioned.

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

Mr Brown, who served within the US Navy for 20 years, together with within the Gulf War, mentioned it was “not only wrong, but a waste of money” that his spouse was jailed for “such a small” infraction.

An ICE spokesperson mentioned that, upon re-entering the US in July, Mrs Hughes-Brown was referred for secondary supervision “due to her prior criminal history, which included two convictions for fraud involving bad checks, one in 2012 and another in 2015”.

“After inspection, he was arrested and subsequently transferred to ICE custody, where he was placed in removal proceedings.”

The assertion mentioned ICE is “prioritizing the removal of criminal alien offenders who pose a threat to public safety and the rule of law”.

The US authorities has mentioned it may detain and doubtlessly deport non-citizens who take part in crimes; Is thought-about a menace to public security; Or violate their visa.

Mr Brown mentioned the power the place Mrs Hughes-Brown is detained is “appalling”, including that detainees are receiving unhealthy meals and their medical wants are usually not being met.

“The toilets were closed for a week, and there were 25 women in one toilet. They had to sit there for a week and smell.

“This is wrong. This is absolutely wrong.”

Mr. Brown said officials at the facility failed to provide his wife with the medication she needed.

A senior official at the Department for Homeland Security (DHS) said that ICE has “one of the highest detention standards” in the US.

“All detainees are provided proper food, medical treatment and the opportunity to communicate with lawyers and their family members.”

The statement said ICE “provides comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien arrives in ICE custody”, and “meals are certified by dietitians”.

“Ensuring the safety, security and well-being of individuals in our custody is ICE's top priority.”

Mr Brown, who described the government's actions as “tyrannical” and “excessive”, said he was worried he would be separated from his wife for a long period of time.

Ms. Daughtrey said it has become “practically impossible” for folks detained by ICE to acquire bail.

“If I look at it from the efficiency and monetary side, [the US is] Are wasting money. It's wild that this is happening,” she mentioned.

Ms. Daughtrey additionally mentioned detainees have been typically held in services with “deplorable” situations.

He mentioned he expects ICE enforcement to step up and the recommendation he and his colleagues give shoppers has modified.

“There's no room for error. Every case is so scrutinized that we really need people to be prepared.”

“Once you're in custody, it's really hard to work on your case. My advice right now is to call a lawyer, prepare your case ahead of time, and have all your evidence ready.”

A senior DHS official advised BBC News NI that “Lawful permanent residents presenting at a US port of entry with certain criminal convictions may be found inadmissible, placed in removal proceedings, and subject to mandatory detention”.

A spokesperson for the Irish DFA mentioned: “Where a citizen requests consular assistance as a result of imminent deportation, the department can assist by providing information on deportation arrangements, contacting family/friends at the citizen's request and providing a list of English-speaking lawyers.”