Seek Release of Sean O'Cealleagh

Published: 15 September, 2006

INA Action Alert

I.  Background FACTS:

*  Sean Kelly [O'Cealleagh], who served 8 years in prison in the six counties for his alleged role in the death of the two British Corporals and subsequently released under the GFA, was arrested last Friday morning and is being held by Immigration officials in Orange County, CA.

*  After coming to the US, Sean was arrested and threatened with deportation.  In 2004, Sean's lawyer, Jim Byrne, successfully argued to Immigration Judge Peters that Sean's actions were of a purely political nature.  Judge Peters also ruled that Sean could legally stay and work in the US, noting that the trial in the north of Ireland that convicted Sean
received widespread criticism.

*  Even though Sean won the case, Immigration refused to release Sean and started to appeal the decision.  Sean's lawyer issued a writ of habeus corpus and Sean was released on a $15,000 bond.

*  The Immigration Board of Appeals has overturned the original decision by Judge Peters and said that while the act took place in a political milieu, the motivations were revenge.

*  The case has been referred back to the original judge to decide.

II. Action:

*  The key is to get Sean out of custody -- request a Waiver for BAIL.

Sean is not a flight risk. He is a Green Card holder, employed full time, and married to an American woman with a young child.

We are seeking the intervention of Congressman Peter King [head of the House Homeland Security Committee] and other Members of Congress.

Please contact Congressman King directly and ask your Members of Congress to contact him ask well.  Local Members of Congress should be encouraged
to call the Immigration Control and Enforcement [ICE] themselves for details on the case to let immigration authorities know that we are concerned and that Sean is not without support.

Do not bother to argue the rightness or wrongness of the case.  We are asking only for a waiver for bail.

Sean's lawyer, Jim Byrne, will forward the original Judge's decision to any official who will intervene and help request a waiver so Sean can be released to his family.

III. Contact Information:

The Honorable Peter T. King
United States House of Representatives
436 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3203
Phone:  202-225-7896; DC Fax: 202-226-2279
Email: pete.king@mail.house.gov

District Office:
1003 Park Boulevard