John Cunningham - in ICE custody
Jun 21st 2017 | 1:24 am
#1
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John Cunningham - in ICE custody
I don't understand why this is a problem; other than to highlight the complete lack of enforcement for decades against people who overstay.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/20...xGN/story.html
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/20...xGN/story.html
They came for John Cunningham on a sunny evening last week, showing up at his house in Brighton like early dinner guests.
They were federal immigration agents, and they were there to throw John Cunningham out of the country he has called home for 18 years.
John Cunningham, 38, has an electrical contracting business. He has paid taxes. He has done much to improve the lives of those around him.
But what he does not have is a green card, and so the federal agents brought him to the jail in South Bay and put him in a cell with the rest of the common criminals. Because in Donald Trump’s America, that’s what John Cunningham is, a common criminal.
They were federal immigration agents, and they were there to throw John Cunningham out of the country he has called home for 18 years.
John Cunningham, 38, has an electrical contracting business. He has paid taxes. He has done much to improve the lives of those around him.
But what he does not have is a green card, and so the federal agents brought him to the jail in South Bay and put him in a cell with the rest of the common criminals. Because in Donald Trump’s America, that’s what John Cunningham is, a common criminal.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Jun 21st 2017 at 1:30 am. Reason: Copyright infringement
Jun 21st 2017 | 2:04 am
#2
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,218
From: Athens GA
Re: John Cunningham - in ICE custody
I don't understand why this is a problem; other than to highlight the complete lack of enforcement for decades against people who overstay.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/20...xGN/story.html
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/20...xGN/story.html
Like most of us here, we waited, we went through all the hoops, we paid our hard earned money he didn't!
Jun 21st 2017 | 2:22 am
#3
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,356
From: Dixie, ex UK
Re: John Cunningham - in ICE custody
If they go after a relatively few high profile targets then others will start to self-deport. 
The irony is that John Cunningham certainly has enough money to support an E-2, and quite possibly enough to splurge on an EB-5.
The irony is that John Cunningham certainly has enough money to support an E-2, and quite possibly enough to splurge on an EB-5.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jun 21st 2017 at 2:24 am.
Jun 21st 2017 | 2:33 am
#4
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Re: John Cunningham - in ICE custody
That 10 year ban is gonna slightly reduce his chances on that score though to be fair.
Jun 21st 2017 | 2:42 am
#6
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Re: John Cunningham - in ICE custody
I have no sympathy for him. I'm staggered that the US has allowed him - and countless others - to remain for so long.
Why he would choose here - without any ability to be lawfully employed - in Boston when he has the entire European Union (including the UK even when they exit given he's an Irish citizen) to live in is beyond me.
Why he would choose here - without any ability to be lawfully employed - in Boston when he has the entire European Union (including the UK even when they exit given he's an Irish citizen) to live in is beyond me.
Jun 21st 2017 | 3:13 am
#9
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 251
From: Houston, TX
Re: John Cunningham - in ICE custody
I personally have sympathy for people in this situation. I do 'like' (for lack of a better word) that they are also targeting people like him though.
Last edited by fbf2006; Jun 21st 2017 at 4:24 am.
Jun 21st 2017 | 3:15 am
#10
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Re: John Cunningham - in ICE custody
Seems as if there is more to this story than a simple overstay arrest:
Irish man detained for deportation from US wanted over $1,300 'cheque theft' - Independent.ie
So he's alleged to have committed a CIMT. Not looking good for him is it.
Irish man detained for deportation from US wanted over $1,300 'cheque theft' - Independent.ie
Independent.ie has learned that there is an outstanding warrant for John Cunningham (38) in Massachusetts after he allegedly took a cheque for $1,300 (€1,170) from a man to carry out electrical work at a home in March 2014.
The victim Christopher Waltham claimed that he never saw or heard from the Donegal native again and he filed a police report in May of that year.
A spokesperson for West Roxbury District Court confirmed that Mr Cunningham was ordered to appear in court on October 16, 2014 but he failed to show.
The victim Christopher Waltham claimed that he never saw or heard from the Donegal native again and he filed a police report in May of that year.
A spokesperson for West Roxbury District Court confirmed that Mr Cunningham was ordered to appear in court on October 16, 2014 but he failed to show.
Jun 21st 2017 | 3:41 am
#11
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,356
From: Dixie, ex UK
Re: John Cunningham - in ICE custody
Jun 21st 2017 | 3:42 am
#12
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,507
Re: John Cunningham - in ICE custody
I have none of this schadenfreude, I have none of this resentment that others chose a different path to mine. I went legal as I was not prepared to risk the potential consequences. I have no bone to pick with others that took the risk, but I dont want to hear them moan when those consequences come to fruit. I do have sympathy for him, but I dont want to hear him cry about it, and in fairness the tears seem to be from the author not the protagonist.
Jun 21st 2017 | 3:45 am
#13
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Re: John Cunningham - in ICE custody
Well, I agree with you on the first few points, but 'hard earned' is overstated. I don't feel I work especially hard for my income, which is why I dislike that phrase so much.
Jun 21st 2017 | 3:47 am
#14
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From: Athens GA
Re: John Cunningham - in ICE custody
I have none of this schadenfreude, I have none of this resentment that others chose a different path to mine. I went legal as I was not prepared to risk the potential consequences. I have no bone to pick with others that took the risk, but I dont want to hear them moan when those consequences come to fruit. I do have sympathy for him, but I dont want to hear him cry about it, and in fairness the tears seem to be from the author not the protagonist.
Jun 21st 2017 | 4:14 am
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 209
From: The Florida Panhandle
Re: John Cunningham - in ICE custody
I have no sympathy for him. I'm staggered that the US has allowed him - and countless others - to remain for so long.
Why he would choose here - without any ability to be lawfully employed - in Boston when he has the entire European Union (including the UK even when they exit given he's an Irish citizen) to live in is beyond me.
Why he would choose here - without any ability to be lawfully employed - in Boston when he has the entire European Union (including the UK even when they exit given he's an Irish citizen) to live in is beyond me.
Totally agree it took us 2.5 years to get to the USA and a sizeable chunk of our savings paying for visas, medicals etc. I have zero sympathy for John Cunningham he should have gone through the proper channels.
