Cork man facing deportation from the US granted 90 day-extension

Corkman Keith Byrne was arrested by ICE officers in America on Wednesday, 10 July.

An Irishman who had been imprisoned in the US “without warning” back in July has been a granted 90-day extension that allows him to stay and work in America.

Byrne, who is a father of three, has been living in Pennsylvania for 12 years and runs a painting business over there. Since marrying his American wife in 2009, he had been in the process of adjusting his status, but has met with regular refusals. Speaking about his situation on the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork’s RedFM on Wednesday morning, Byrne announced that, as of today, he is back at work. He said that the intervention of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) could potentially be a blessing in disguise, saying that it could result in him finally adjusting his living status after years of effort. He said: "We think it was a small price to pay. It seems to have catapulted everything forward." He also spoke about his experience in the county jail, and how he hoped that he could soon draw a close to this chapter of his life. "I just want this to be over... It's become my life. I want to just focus on my children, and keep working on my business." Byrne said that he is hopeful his appeal will be successful, and that the first thing he will do if it is, is return to Ireland.