A North Carolina pastor detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement suffered a stroke while in custody, leaving the left side of his body paralyzed, according to his family. Relatives of Gabriel Johnson, a 55 year old Liberian immigrant, allege that he repeatedly asked for his prescribed medication before the medical emergency occurred.
Johnson was detained by ICE agents at his family’s home in Cary, North Carolina, on July 15. His family says he had a history of strokes dating back to 2020 and depended on medication to manage his condition. About two weeks after his detention, he suffered another stroke while being held at a detention facility in Texas.
His daughter, Gabri Johnson, has publicly accused immigration officials of failing to provide her father with his medication, as well as adequate food and water. She said her father repeatedly asked for his medication while detained and that the family became increasingly concerned about his health. She later received news that he had suffered a stroke and that the left side of his body was completely paralyzed.
The family says Johnson was moved between several detention facilities, including the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia, before being transferred to the Prairieland Detention Center in Texas. After suffering the stroke, he was taken to a hospital in the Fort Worth area, where he remains under medical care, according to recent reports.
Johnson’s family has called for his release so that he can receive rehabilitation and recover with the support of relatives. They have also sought legal intervention to prevent his removal from the United States while his medical condition is being treated. His daughter said the family initially tried to resolve the matter privately through lawyers before deciding to speak publicly after his health deteriorated.
The Department of Homeland Security, however, has rejected the suggestion that detainees are routinely denied necessary medical care. A DHS spokesperson said ICE has a longstanding practice of providing comprehensive medical services to people in its custody, including medical, dental and mental health care and access to emergency treatment. The agency’s position conflicts with the family’s account of what happened to Johnson.
Johnson’s immigration history is also disputed. His relatives say he has lived in the United States since he was a teenager and has maintained legal status, while DHS says he has a final order of removal dating back to 1991. The agency has also cited a criminal history in explaining his detention, although the precise status of every offense and charge cited has not been independently established in the available reports.
The case has renewed attention on medical care and conditions inside immigration detention facilities as the Trump administration continues its immigration enforcement campaign. For Johnson’s family, however, the immediate priority is his health. They are seeking continued medical treatment and rehabilitation while challenging his removal and demanding answers about the care he received before suffering the stroke.
