The number of Irish citizens deported from the United States has surged by over 50% in 2025, with 99 individuals removed between January and September, compared to 60 in the previous fiscal year. This sharp increase reflects intensified immigration enforcement policies that are affecting long-term residents, including those with minor or no criminal records.
According to figures released to BBC News NI, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported 99 Irish citizens in the first nine months of 2025, a significant rise from the 60 deportations recorded between October 2023 and September 2024. This represents an increase of more than 50%, continuing an upward trend in recent years. For instance, deportations numbered 37 in 2023, up from 17 in 2022 and 10 in 2021. The data highlights a steady escalation in enforcement actions against Irish nationals residing in the US, many of whom have lived there for decades.
Immigration experts attribute this surge to stricter policies implemented since President Donald Trump’s election, which have expanded the criteria for targeting individuals for removal. Claire Doutre, an immigration attorney, noted that enforcement has intensified, with more people without criminal backgrounds being detained and deported. Many of those affected entered the US lawfully but overstayed their visas, indicating a shift in focus from serious offenders to a broader range of immigration violations. ICE has stated that it prioritizes the removal of individuals who pose a threat to public safety, but critics argue that the approach is overly broad and impacts vulnerable populations.
The human toll of these policies is evident in cases like that of Donna Hughes-Brown, an Irish citizen who has lived in the US since childhood and holds a green card. She faces deportation over two minor fraud convictions from 2012 and 2015, involving bad checks for $49 and $22 at a grocery store. Her husband, Jim Brown, a US Navy veteran, described the situation as “insane,” emphasizing that the offenses occurred over a decade ago and stemmed from financial hardship. He stated that she was “trying to survive” at the time and does not deserve to be separated from her family after building a life in America.
Conditions in ICE detention facilities have drawn criticism, with reports of inadequate living standards and medical care. Jim Brown alleged that his wife’s facility had backed-up toilets shared by 25 women and failed to provide necessary medication. In response, a senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official defended ICE’s standards, claiming they are among the highest in the US and that detainees receive proper meals, treatment, and communication opportunities. However, such assurances are frequently disputed by detainees and advocates, who point to ongoing issues with hygiene and health services.
The rise in deportations has led to a spike in requests for consular assistance from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Between January and September 2025, the DFA received 51 such requests, up from 15 in 2024 and a previous high of 18 in 2023 over the past five years. This increase underscores the growing anxiety among the estimated 100,000 Irish citizens in the US, many of whom have deep roots in the country. The DFA offers support with deportation arrangements and legal referrals, but the emotional and logistical challenges for affected families remain profound.
Legal options for challenging deportations have become more limited, according to attorneys like Claire Doutre. She mentioned that obtaining bail for detainees is “practically impossible,” and cases face intense scrutiny, leaving little margin for error. Doutre advises clients to prepare their cases in advance with legal counsel, as defending against removal from detention is exceedingly difficult. This environment has fostered a climate of fear, with immigrants feeling that “everybody is at risk right now” and urging greater preparedness in navigating the complex immigration system.
Looking ahead, the trend of increased deportations is expected to persist, with ICE enforcement likely to intensify further. This could strain US-Ireland diplomatic relations and impact the Irish diaspora, while raising broader questions about immigration policy, human rights, and the balance between security and compassion. As enforcement actions expand, the stories of individuals like Donna Hughes-Brown highlight the personal consequences, prompting calls for reforms that address both enforcement goals and the fair treatment of long-term residents.