The position is that all foreign citizens, regardless of nationality, detained in the US in respect of immigration violations, are likely to be held for up to eight weeks while the deportation process is completed. The US Department of Homeland Security has indicated that this timeframe arises from the logistical and administrative procedures involved in deporting an individual from the US, including on occasion the transfer of an individual to an immigration detention centre, the scheduling of flights, the provision of a ten day notification procedure to the US Embassy in the receiving country and the provision of an escort by immigration officials if required.
My Department has monitored this process in so far as it has applied to Irish citizens in the US. Reflecting our concern we have made representations, including on humanitarian grounds in individual cases. I will also do so directly with the Secretary of State at a future meeting. I also took the opportunity to raise this and other immigration related issues at a meeting with the US Ambassador in December, and I likewise raised our concerns with senior figures on Capitol Hill last month.