An Irishman held in a US jail over an immigration dispute may have been given a last-minute boost to halt his deportation.
Keith Byrne, 37, has completed a passport application that could lead to him being expelled from the country.
But the three-week period to process the documents might open up legal opportunities for him to stay in the US.
Last night his dad Jim, from Fermoy, Co Cork, told the Irish Mirror: “The American dream has turned into an American nightmare.
“He signed it so we’re just awaiting developments.
“His lawyers are happy with it if you can call it an extension. They seem to be pleased enough with the three weeks. They reckon that whatever they have to do can be done in that time, whether it can or not, that’s another story.
“It’s only nine days since it happened.”
Keith moved to the US in 2007 and his family said he was living legally but did not have citizenship.
The dad of three, who set up his own painting business, was on his way to work on the outskirts of Philadelphia last Wednesday when he was stopped.
US immigration officers in unmarked cars arrested him and placed him in a prison in Pennsylvania.
Jim said Keith is being supported in his case by two congressmen and his lawyer.
He added: “The three-week wait is protocol. They can’t put you on a plane. If he didn’t sign the passport application he would have got the state penitentiary.”
Keith’s detention comes amid President Donald Trump’s latest crackdown on illegal immigrants.
But his wife Keren insisted he was not “undocumented”.
Keith has two previous convictions for possession of cannabis while living in Ireland, which have also added to his struggle with US authorities.
In an interview with RTE, Keren said: “He has been trying in every effort honestly to adjust his status.
“Going all the way through the legal system, being upfront and open and it’s just done nothing but hurt the situation.”
