Its Bear

ICE Deported Bernie McDonagh to Ireland. Months Later, He Was Back on Seattle Doorsteps He introduced himself as “Brian” on a Seattle homeowner's doorbell camera. Federal authorities identified him as Bernard “Bernie” McDonagh, 42, from Cork, Ireland. ICE arrested McDonagh in Boston in July 2025, identified him as an illegal alien and deported him to Ireland on July 16. Months later, he was back in Seattle, offering home repairs. The footage shows a bearded man in a cowboy hat introducing himself to homeowner David Diedrick. Diedrick accuses him of a chimney-repair scam. Another homeowner's account describes nearly $200,000 lost and a business name changing partway through the job. Investigators suspect McDonagh is part of a much wider contractor-fraud operation involving dozens of men using changing names and businesses. The broader investigation includes interviews with 50 Seattle-area victims and estimated losses in the tens of millions across the Pacific Northwest. Those aren't losses all attributed personally to McDonagh. As of November 6, the U.S. Attorney's Office in western Washington said no charges had been filed and federal authorities were looking into complaints. The fraud accusations still have to be proved. There is also a separate immigration question. Under 8 U.S.C. 1326, returning to or being found in the United States after removal without the required consent is a felony. ICE already put this man on a plane to Ireland. Americans deserve answers about how he got back and what authorities are doing about the homeowners' complaints. While Trump talks about deportations being “too tough,” this is why enforcement can't end at the departure gate. I want removals that stick, fraud allegations investigated and criminal charges wherever the evidence supports them. Going softer isn't the answer.