Irish illegal immigrant had prior legal trouble
An Irish illegal immigrant detained by federal officials for overstaying his visa by more than a decade has been wanted on a default warrant for two years after he was accused of stiffing a customer of his electrical contracting business, and failed to appear in court, according to court records.
The Herald reported yesterday that the Irish immigrant community has been rocked by the detainment of John Cunningham, 38, at his Brighton home last week. Cunningham was the former head of the Gaelic Athletic Association and well known in the community, but while he worked as an electrical contractor, no John Cunningham is currently licensed as an electrician, according to state records.
In 2014, a client claimed Cunningham cashed a $1,300 check but never performed any work at the client’s Roslindale home. Police issued a default warrant for Cunningham’s arrest after he failed to show up for a court appearance on the complaint.
Cunningham’s attorney, Christopher Lavery, had no comment on the warrant. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Shawn Neudauer said federal officials detained Cunningham based on his immigration status.
“ICE made the arrest based on the federal immigration violation. His significant overstay was cause and reason enough to pursue the matter,” Neudauer said in a statement. “Someone who overstays a visitor visa is flagrantly violating the granted benefit.”
Cunningham came to the United States in 2003 through the 90-day Visa Waiver Program but never left, and now faces deportation. Under the provisions of that visa, people can visit a participating country with less hassle and paperwork, but they waive their right to appear before a judge if they are caught staying beyond 90 days, making deportation a certainty.
Ronnie Millar, executive director of the Bostonbased Irish International Immigrant Center, said there are 12,000 estimated illegal Irish immigrants in Massachusetts, many of whom have outstayed their initial visas. And illegal immigrants’ fears of getting caught and facing that penalty makes them susceptible to grifters who pose as experts who say they can navigate the complicated path to citizenship, frequently using respectable settings to swindle thousands of dollars.
“When people are feeling panicky, they’re more likely to be taken advantage of,” Millar said.
“It’s the lowest of the low who prey on these vulnerable people. It’s less back alley stuff and more travel agents, insurance offices, using churches — people saying ‘I’m an expert.’ ”
Those scammers use their false authority to demand cash payment for help becoming citizens. Millar said he’s heard of fraudsters demanding $3,000 to $12,000.
Millar said the Attorney General’s office investigates reports of unauthorized legal practice, but illegal immigrants who have been scammed are often wary of reaching out to officials.