A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family of Keith Byrne, a Cork man who is facing deportation from the US under President Trump's crackdown on "illegals".
Keith was arrested on Wednesday by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on his way to work while his family prepared for a trip to the local waterpark.
He is currently being held in detention in Philadelphia and it is expected that he will be deported in the next two weeks, Cork Beo reports.
Keith went to the US in 2007 and was on an immigration waiver programme when he met and fell in love with his American wife Keren.
The couple married in 2009 and have three children aged four, six and 13.
Byrne, originally from Fermoy, set up his own painting business and was given a social security number as well as work authorisation despite his immigration status.
The Byrnes first petitioned to get Keith citizenship in 2010 and expected the process to be straightforward as they were married.
However, due to the constraints of the visa waiver programme and two small cannabis possession charges against Keith while he was living in Ireland, all of their petitions and appeals have been rejected.
Keith’s sister Melinda spoke to Cork's RedFM about the situation and said: “He has always been open and honest about the situation, he went to ICE in 2010 to adjust his status. Unfortunately, all his applications and subsequent appeals have been denied”.
Under the Trump administration, the deportation of unauthorised immigrants from many countries including Ireland has risen in recent years, from 26 in 2016, to 47 in 2018, according to ICE’s annual removal numbers.
Jeff Snader, a cousin of the family and a US marine, set up the Go Fund Me page and said “The America we love is here to support life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is intended for all of the brave and caring souls who are willing to sacrifice and put in the work to be a part of this. Keith Byrne exemplifies this”.
Keren has been appealing to local elected officials including Irish Americans U.S. Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Brendan Boyle for help with stalling his deportation.
She says that if Keith is deported back to Ireland - herself and their children will follow.
You can donate to the GoFundMe page for the Byrne family here.
