Judge pauses deportation of Boston area Irish man held in custody for 6 months

"If the petition for his review is denied - and absent further order of court prescribing a different result - the stay of removal will expire when mandate issues. The judge did not grant relief related to detention."

"We are committed to advocating for Culleton's right to remain in the United States based on legal merits of his case. Our focus is on reuniting him with his spouse and ensuring that justice is served within the bounds of our laws."

"Culleton, 39, has no criminal record since living in the U.S., and had work authorization and a pending green card application. He owns a small plastering business and has lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades."

Seamus Culleton, an Irish national married to a U.S. citizen from Boston, has had his deportation temporarily halted by a federal appeals court judge. Culleton overstayed a 90-day visa in 2009 and has been detained for six months at an ICE facility in El Paso, Texas. He recently drew attention by describing the detention camp as having poor sanitation conditions. The March 1 court order grants a stay of removal pending resolution of his petition for review. Culleton, 39, has no criminal record since arriving in the U.S., maintains work authorization, and has a pending green card application. He owns a small plastering business and has lived in the country for nearly two decades.

Read at Boston.com