The Dáil has heard that the number of Irish citizens seeking consular assistance about deportation from the US increased by 330% last year.
The number rose from 15 in 2024 to 65 in 2025.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Neale Richmond said this includes people who have already been deported and those who are still going through the deportation process, which may include those being held in detention by ICE.
Mr Richmond said one person has sought consular assistance from his department so far this year.
However, he said this figure does not reflect all deportations from the US, only those who sought consular assistance.
He was responding to a Labour TD Duncan Smith who asked how many Irish citizens are currently being detained by ICE and if their locations are known.
Mr Smith said the "entire world" has been left "aghast" by the actions of ICE.
"All immigrant groups are being targeted," he added.
Mr Richmond said the department's provision of consular assistance is at the request of a citizen or where the citizen cannot request such assistance by a family member or friend.
He said there are "many incidences" where a citizen gets into difficulty abroad but does not request consular assistance.
He said in these cases the department may not necessarily be aware of their detention or impending deportation.
Mr Richmond said his officials "stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad".
He said the department does not comment on individual cases and cannot reveal locations, in case it might compromise a citizen’s right to privacy.
Mr Smith said Ireland’s figure for the number of cases is 66, including the one case so far this year.
However, he said ICE’s figure from January to September in 2025 is 99, suggesting that 33 Irish citizens have been held but did not seek consular assistance.
He said more should be done to seek out "where those citizens are, where they are being held and what their status is".
"It's not good enough in this instance to sit back and wait for consular assistance," added Mr Smith.
The Labour TD raised the case of Donna Hughes-Browne, 59, who had been legally in the US since the age of 11.
Ms Hughes-Brown was apprehended by a customs official at Chicago airport when returning from a trip to Ireland last July.
The green card holder was held by immigration authorities in the US for almost five months.
He said Ms Hughes Browne was detained because she had two cheques "for low amounts of money" bounce, which she had then cleared.
Mr Smith said the Irish woman was taken out of state from Chicago to Kentucky and held in "absolutely deplorable" conditions.
"This is what's happening Irish citizens, both documented and undocumented," he said.
In response, the minister said there are "very real challenges" and that some citizens may not seek consular assistance for a variety of reasons.
Mr Richmond said he has met Irish groups in the US, who are working with "very worried" individuals.
He said funding and responsiveness for these bodies will be increased.
