Barber released from ICE detention after 15 months as deportation appeal continues
By Kaitlyn Ross
Click here for updates on this story
ATLANTA (WXIA) — Rodney Taylor, the Georgia barber whose immigration detention case drew national attention, spoke publicly for the first time Monday since he was released from ICE custody after spending 15 months inside Stewart Detention Center in south Georgia.
Taylor was released on conditional parole while he continues appealing his deportation case, according to his attorneys.
Taylor, a triple amputee who worked as a barber in Tucker, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement over a conviction from his teens that was later pardoned by the state of Georgia.
“Me walking through that door, it’s a feeling, it’s a feeling I can’t even describe,” Taylor told 11Alive after his release.
Taylor came to the United States from Liberia as a child to receive medical treatment. Born with a genetic condition affecting his limbs, he underwent amputations after arriving in the U.S. and has lived in the country for decades.
When he was 16 years old, Taylor pleaded guilty to burglary. He later received a pardon from the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles in 2010.
Despite the pardon, ICE detained Taylor in early 2025 and moved to deport him to Liberia, a country he said he has no memory of since arriving in the United States as a toddler.
His case sparked criticism and concern from immigration advocates, elected officials and supporters across Georgia.
During his detention, Taylor alleged he was denied proper accommodations for his disability and retaliated against after speaking out about conditions inside the facility.
11Alive reached out to ICE and CoreCivic, the company that operates Stewart Detention Center, for comment regarding Taylor’s allegations. In a statement, the company claimed Taylor had “every accommodation made for his disability.” (Read more of the statement at the bottom of this story).
Taylor said leaving detention brought relief, but he remains focused on the people still being held inside.
“These are human beings, yet they treat us like cattle ready to be slaughtered, or in this case, deported,” Taylor said.
Over the course of his detention, Taylor’s family regularly traveled several hours to Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin to visit him.
Even while detained, Taylor continued cutting hair for fellow detainees preparing for immigration hearings, according to his family and attorneys.
His case also drew support from members of Congress, including Lucy McBath.
“They spoke out and they refused to let Rodney’s story be ignored,” McBath said. “That’s the kind of love and determination that creates change.”
Taylor’s wife, Mildred Pierre, told 11Alive the couple faced significant challenges while trying to maintain their relationship during his detention, including while planning their wedding.
“Even the simple thing of getting married, that was not easy,” Pierre said with a laugh. “And Rodney owes me a big wedding.”
Taylor remains on conditional release while his immigration appeal continues. His attorneys say they are continuing to fight for his right to remain in the United States permanently.
“One thing remains true,” Taylor said. “The power is still with the people. That power cannot be deported, it cannot be detained. And it definitely cannot be silenced.”
Below is the statement 11Alive received from the company.
Mr. Taylor had every accommodation made for his disability. He was offered the option to come to the medical unit daily to charge his prosthesis equipment, which he did regularly. On days he chose not to come to the medical unit, he had access to charge his medical equipment in the multipurpose room in his housing unit. SDC medical staff and his unit manager were all aware of the situation and helped facilitate his needs.
Individuals at SDC have daily access to sign up for medical care, and our clinic is staffed with licensed healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health counselors and dentists who contractually meet the highest standards of care, as verified by multiple audits and inspections. ICE’s Health Services Corps (IHSC) conducted a site audit of SDC’s health services on June 2, 2025, and found no deficiencies.
SDC’s water comes from the same municipal source that serves the surrounding community and is subject to regular independent testing. Our staff regularly drinks the water. The physical conditions of the facility, including plumbing and infrastructure, are maintained in accordance with federal detention standards and subject to regular inspection and audit by our government partners without prior notice.
CoreCivic maintains a zero-tolerance policy for retaliation against individuals in our care. Detainees have multiple avenues to raise concerns, including toll-free telephone numbers and direct access to management staff. Concerns can also be submitted through ICE’s ERO Detention, Removals and Information Line.
CoreCivic is proud of the more than 400 dedicated staff members at SDC who show up every day committed to the safety, dignity and well-being of everyone in our care.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.