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Pastor paralyzed by stroke in ICE custody after alleged medical neglect, later released

Sep 13, 2026·Location: TX

Country of origin: Liberia

Pastor paralyzed by stroke in ICE custody after alleged medical neglect, later released
Photo via Instagram

Gabriel Johnson III, a 55-year-old pastor from Cary, North Carolina who has lived in the U.S. since he was 15 or 16 and held legal status including a 2004 withholding of removal barring his deportation to Liberia, was detained by ICE at his home on July 15 over a reportedly missed immigration appointment. His daughter Gabri said that during transfers between facilities in North Carolina, Georgia, Atlanta, and Texas, he was repeatedly denied food, water, and his prescribed stroke and blood pressure medications, and was pressured to sign deportation papers before his scheduled hearing. On July 30 he suffered a stroke that paralyzed the left side of his body; he was hospitalized in the Dallas area and shackled to his bed despite nurses' warnings that this increased stroke risk, and his family said they were initially denied contact or updates on his condition. Johnson, a N.C. Central University graduate who has pastored for 20 years and shares four children with his wife of 30 years, had an emergency stay of removal filed on his behalf, and his family filed a complaint with the DHS Office of Inspector General. ICE and CoreCivic denied mistreatment allegations, stating he was monitored and treated after showing stroke-like symptoms; he has since been released from ICE custody and is moving to a 24-hour rehabilitation hospital.

Timeline

Sep 13, 2026—Released from ICE custody and transferred to a 24-hour rehabilitation hospital; ICE and CoreCivic deny mistreatment allegations
Aug 24, 2026—Family reports he remains hospitalized with no updates from ICE; files complaint with DHS Office of Inspector General
Jul 30, 2026—Suffered a stroke in detention, leaving left side paralyzed, after being denied food, water, and medication during facility transfers
Jul 15, 2026—Detained by ICE agents at his home in Cary, North Carolina
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