Irish Tech Worker Thomas Detained in US for Nearly 100 Days Despite Agreeing to Deportation

Thomas, a 35-year-old engineer from Ireland, visited West Virginia last fall to see his girlfriend. He often traveled to the US using the visa waiver program, which allows visitors to stay for up to 90 days without a visa.

He planned to return to Ireland in December 2024. But a health problem kept him from flying. Medical records show he was only three days late leaving the US when he was stopped by police. This small delay turned into a long, harsh detention.

Thomas was held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for about 100 days. He spent time in three different detention centers. He did not understand why he was being kept or when he would be released.

Thomas agreed to deportation right away when he was arrested. But even after that, ICE kept him in custody. After Donald Trump became president, immigration arrests increased sharply. Overcrowding in detention centers got worse.

Part of his time in custody was spent in a federal prison designed for criminal cases, not immigration issues. Thomas was finally sent back to Ireland in March 2025. He was told he is banned from returning to the US for 10 years.

Thomas’s case is part of a larger trend. More tourists and visitors with valid visas are being detained by ICE. This has happened to people from countries like Australia, Germany, Canada, and the UK. An Irish green card holder was also detained in April 2025 because of an old criminal record.

Thomas’s Story: From a Health Issue to Detention

Thomas had no past problems traveling to the US. In October 2024, he tore his calf and had swelling. His doctor told him not to fly for 8 to 12 weeks due to blood clot risks. This made him stay a few days longer than allowed.

He tried to notify US authorities and embassies. But he did not get a reply in time. “I thought they would understand because I had the right paperwork,” Thomas said.

His detention began after an argument with his girlfriend, Malone, in a hotel room in Savannah, Georgia. Someone called the police after overhearing them. Thomas was arrested and charged with falsely imprisoning Malone, a charge she says she did not support.

He was released on bond but was immediately taken by ICE. He was sent to a private ICE detention center in Folkston, Georgia.

Thomas signed a removal order agreeing to leave the US. But he stayed in detention for months without clear answers. His lawyer asked ICE to release him with the agreement he would leave, but ICE refused.

Harsh Conditions in Detention

Thomas spent weeks on lockdown at Folkston after a fight broke out. Detainees got about one hour outside each week.

In February, he was moved to a federal prison in Atlanta. This prison was not prepared for immigration detainees. The conditions were worse than Folkston.

Thomas described dirty mattresses, cockroaches, and mice. Some bunk beds had no ladders. Detainees had few clothes and wore stained jumpsuits and underwear. Toilet paper was limited. Food was poor quality and often inedible. He was cold and hungry often.

Medical care was poor. People cried for help but were ignored. Thomas eventually got psychiatric medicine but had to find pills on the floor after staff threw them under the door.

The outdoor area was like a cage with no sky view. Thomas developed nerve pain from little movement.

Confusion and Poor Management

Thomas saw ICE officials once a week at the prison. Many detainees begged for case updates. Language barriers made it worse for some.

Thomas said ICE transfers were random and confusing. Many detainees were moved back and forth between facilities.

He could not call his children because international calls were blocked.

In March, he was transferred again and finally flown back to Ireland, escorted by armed officers.

Legal Experts Speak Out

Experts say detaining someone for overstaying a visa for medical reasons is extreme. Sirine Shebaya from the National Immigration Project called it “punitive detention” and a waste of resources.

Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock of the National Immigration Law Center said ICE often detains people even after they accept deportation. She said the Trump administration prioritizes holding detainees over case details.

Broader Concerns

Georgia passed a law requiring police to alert ICE when undocumented people are arrested. This may have affected Thomas’s case.

Advocates worry about racial profiling and mass detentions. Samantha Hamilton from Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta called the situation “terrifying” for many people.

Aftermath

Thomas now fears he may never return to the US. Malone plans to move to Ireland to be with him.

Thomas struggles with health and mental issues after detention. He calls his experience like watching a movie and feels like he was at the mercy of the government.

He worries about others sent to places like Guantánamo Bay or El Salvador without clear charges.