Donegal man deported from US after 15 years

He applied for a green card three years ago.

As reported by The Journal, the 40-year-old father of two was deported over the weekend.

It was also reported that his two American-born children, aged nine and ten, did not travel with him.

He was the owner of a small construction company near Boston, where he lived.

The man, who wishes not to be identified, had overstayed his travel visa, and three years ago, he joined the green card application waiting list.

He was arrested and detained following a driving-related conviction last month and spent time in a detention centre run by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to his lawyer, John Foley, the man is now attempting to find a way to 'continue to be a loving father' to his children in the US.

Foley explained: “His personal nightmare is over."

He added that his client 'just wants to move on with his life'.

Foley fought for his client to be released in the US with a 24/7 ankle monitor.

The lawyer previously told The Journal that US officials gave no flexibility in their decision to detain the man.

“My biggest frustration is the inability to speak with anyone of substance inside ICE.

“You send emails that are ignored, leave voicemail messages that are never returned and repeatedly go to someone’s office all to be ignored.

“This administration is different – this administration is dangerous,” Foley continued.

Foley highlighted the new mentality of law enforcement and immigration officers under 'Trump 2.0.'

“They’re intent on instilling fear, and it’s working – they’re proud of it. I’ve never seen anything like this before; we’re in a whole new era now,” he added.

Under the Trump administration, while deportation figures have not yet been made public by ICE, NBC News reported 11,000 migrants were deported byn ICE in February, over 12,300 in March, and approximately 17,200 in April.

According to Foley, other Irish immigrants in the US are becoming concerned.

“It’s not just the Irish, it’s everybody – I’m getting calls from people I represented 20 years ago who really have nothing to worry about, but they have prior criminal convictions, so they’re stressed,” Foley said.

He further labelled Trump’s immigration and deportation policies as 'un-American.'