Nationwide –Rodney Taylor, a Black barber from Georgia, is now facing deportation to Liberia after living in the U.S. most of his life. His immigration status became an issue due to a decades-old criminal charge, even though he was pardoned for it years ago.
Over the years, Taylor built a successful career as a barber, known for making clients look good while chatting with them in his chair. He also used his barbershop to educate Black men about lung cancer risks and screenings, creating a trusted space for health awareness.
However, a past felony charge for burglary at age 16, which was later pardoned by the Georgia Parole Board, led to his detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite his pardon, ICE classified him as an aggravated felon, and he’s now facing deportation.
“They picked me up and said I was an aggravated felon. They treated me like I was a criminal,” Taylor told 11Alive. “They told me automatic deportation. I can’t see a judge; I can’t get a hearing.”
Immigration attorney Charles Kuck explained that while U.S. immigration laws have remained unchanged for decades, enforcement practices have become more aggressive. Taylor’s case highlights how even individuals pardoned by the state can still face deportation years later.
Taylor was arrested by ICE in January, just days after proposing to his fiancée. He has spent the past three months in detention without a court date, enduring overcrowded conditions where detainees sleep on the floor. Despite his situation, Taylor continues to serve others by offering haircuts to fellow detainees, helping them maintain a sense of normalcy.
Taylor’s fiancée and supporters continue to advocate for his release, but with no court date set, his future remains uncertain.
“I pray that my immigration status is approved,” Taylor said. “That’s the only thing that can get me out of this situation.”