The Dáil has been told that there was a sharp rise last year in the number of Irish citizens seeking consular help in relation to deportation from the United States.
The figure increased from 15 cases in 2024 to 65 in 2025, reports RTE.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Neale Richmond said the total includes people who have already been deported as well as those still involved in the deportation process, which may involve detention by ICE.
Mr Richmond said that so far this year, one person has contacted his department seeking consular assistance, reports RTE.
However, he stressed that these figures do not represent all deportations from the US, but only those cases where individuals requested consular support.
He was replying to a question from Labour TD Duncan Smith, who asked how many Irish citizens are currently detained by ICE and whether their locations are known, reports RTE.
Mr Smith said the “entire world” has been left “aghast” by the actions of ICE.
“All immigrant groups are being targeted,” he added, reports RTE.
Mr Richmond said consular assistance is provided either at the request of an Irish citizen or, where the individual cannot make the request themselves, through a family member or friend.
He said there are “many incidences” where citizens encounter difficulties abroad but do not seek consular assistance, reports RTE.
He added that in such circumstances, the department may not be aware that a person is being detained or faces deportation.
Mr Richmond said his officials “stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad”, reports RTE.
He said the department does not comment on individual cases and cannot disclose locations, as doing so could compromise a citizen’s right to privacy.
Mr Smith said Ireland’s total number of cases stands at 66, including the single case recorded so far this year, reports RTE.
However, he said ICE figures for the period from January to September 2025 show 99 cases, indicating that 33 Irish citizens may have been detained without seeking consular assistance.
He said greater efforts are needed to establish “where those citizens are, where they are being held and what their status is”, reports RTE.
“It’s not good enough in this instance to sit back and wait for consular assistance,” added Mr Smith, reports RTE.
The Labour TD highlighted the case of Donna Hughes-Browne, 59, who had been legally resident in the US since she was 11 years old.
Ms Hughes-Browne was detained by a customs official at Chicago airport last July when she returned from a trip to Ireland, reports RTE.
The green card holder was held by US immigration authorities for nearly five months.
Mr Smith said Ms Hughes-Browne was detained due to two cheques “for low amounts of money” bouncing, which were later resolved, reports RTE.
He said the Irish woman was transferred out of state from Chicago to Kentucky and detained in what he described as “absolutely deplorable” conditions.
“This is what’s happening Irish citizens, both documented and undocumented,” he said, reports RTE.
In response, the minister said there are “very real challenges” and noted that some citizens may choose not to seek consular assistance for a range of reasons.
Mr Richmond said he has met Irish organisations in the US that are working with “very worried” individuals, reports RTE.
He said funding for these groups, along with their capacity to respond, will be increased.
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