US Deportations of Irish Citizens Surge Over 50% in 2025

The number of Irish citizens deported from the United States has increased by over 50% in 2025, reflecting a significant intensification of US immigration enforcement. Between January and September 2025, 99 Irish individuals were deported, a notable rise from 60 in the previous fiscal year. These figures, released by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), highlight growing concerns within the Irish community residing in the US.

The 99 deportations recorded from January to September 2025 compare to 60 during the entire 2024 fiscal year, which spanned from October 2023 to September 2024. This marks a substantial increase from earlier years, which saw 37 deportations in 2023, 17 in 2022, 10 in 2021, and 19 in 2020. Immigration attorney Claire Doutre noted that "a lot more people without criminal backgrounds, who have been here for years, getting detained," with many having entered lawfully but overstayed their visas.

Among those affected is Donna Hughes-Brown, an Irish citizen and green card holder since childhood, who is now facing deportation. Her husband, US Navy veteran Jim Brown, described the situation as "insane," citing her two minor fraud convictions from over a decade ago for amounts of $49 and $22. Mr. Brown stated, > "They keep talking about all the bad people. Donna is not that person. Yes, she's made mistakes, but who hasn't." ICE confirmed her prior criminal history as the basis for her referral to secondary inspection and subsequent removal proceedings.

A spokesperson for ICE affirmed that "Individuals who are in the US lawfully and have not violated immigration laws or committed crimes have no reason to fear enforcement actions." However, attorney Claire Doutre warned that "Everybody is at risk right now," emphasizing that "There's no room for error" in the current enforcement climate. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has also seen a sharp increase in requests for assistance related to deportation, with 51 requests between January and September 2025, up from 15 in 2024.

The intensified enforcement is widely attributed to a shift towards more aggressive immigration policies, particularly since the election of President Donald Trump. This trend aligns with broader US immigration data indicating a decline in the overall immigrant population in 2025 due to increased arrests and deportations. Experts suggest that enhanced scrutiny and technological advancements are making it increasingly difficult for undocumented individuals, including Irish citizens, to remain in the country.