Additional Coverage:
- Irishman shackled and handcuffed by ICE at airport for overstaying his visa to work in the US (irishstar.com)
Evan Deveney’s journey in the United States began with hope and hard work but ended abruptly with detention and deportation. The Irish native arrived in New York in September 2025 on a standard 90-day tourist visa, eager to experience America and build a better life. Like many before him, he took on construction jobs across the city, embracing the camaraderie and pride that came with working on the city’s towering skyscrapers.
However, when his visa expired, Deveney chose to remain in the country, continuing his work for another eight months. Despite his efforts, he lived under the constant anxiety that one misstep could unravel everything he had built.
In May 2026, he relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, hoping to explore a new environment, but the fear of being caught never left him. That fear became reality on August 12, when, after passing through TSA security at Nashville International Airport, Deveney was confronted by five ICE agents. In front of fellow travelers, he was handcuffed and shackled, subjected to a humiliating arrest.
Following his detention, Deveney was transported to a local ICE office where he was served deportation papers and forced to accept a 10-year ban from reentering the U.S. He spent the following month in a detention center in Louisiana, describing the conditions as harsh and dehumanizing, with inadequate meals and psychological pressure from guards.
In early September, Deveney was finally flown back to Dublin, where the sight of his worried parents brought some comfort after a harrowing ordeal. Reflecting on his experience, he criticized the immigration system, calling it a stark failure that harshly punishes ordinary working people seeking better opportunities.
Deveney’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by many immigrants navigating the complexities and rigid enforcement of U.S. immigration policies.