Pastor paralyzed by stroke in ICE custody after alleged medical neglect, later released
Sep 13, 2026·Location: TX
Country of origin: Liberia

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
Sources
- North Carolina pastor taken by ICE had a stroke in detention, family says
NBC News·Aug 8, 2026·archived copy
- Who is Gabriel Johnson? Latest update after North Carolina pastor suffers stroke in ICE detention
hindustantimes.com·Aug 9, 2026·archived copy
topstories.com.ng·Aug 9, 2026·archived copy
- ICE Detainee Gabriel Johnson Hospitalized After Suffering Stroke in Custody
legalunitedstates.com·Aug 8, 2026·archived copy
- Raleigh woman claims inadequate care after she says father suffered stroke in ICE custody
WRAL·Aug 3, 2026·archived copy
- fakta.co
- Cary pastor released from ICE custody. Daughter says he's moving to a hospital
WRAL·Sep 13, 2026
- Family of Gabriel Johnson says he suffered stroke in ICE custody: ‘We've been trying to do it the right way’
thegrio.com·Jul 31, 2026
- Family of North Carolina pastor who suffered stroke in ICE custody says they had to beg to see him in Texas
thegrio.com·Aug 8, 2026
- 'They Laughed at Him': Daughter Blames ICE After Detained Liberian Pastor Is Left Paralysed by Stroke
ibtimes.co.uk·Aug 12, 2026
- Cary pastor in ICE custody received little medication before stroke, daughter says
The News & Observer·Aug 11, 2026
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