Wife's Relentless Advocacy for Disabled Husband in ICE Custody
Mildred Danis-Taylor has transformed from a healthcare worker into a fierce immigration activist, driven by the plight of her husband, Rodney Taylor, a double amputee detained by ICE at the Stewart detention center in Georgia. Their story, marked by legal battles and health crises, has thrust the harsh realities of immigration detention into the national spotlight.
A Family Torn Apart by Detention
Rodney Taylor, a 47-year-old barber from Snellville, Georgia, was taken into ICE custody on January 15, 2025, just 11 days after he and Mildred got engaged. Armed agents apprehended him outside their suburban home, with Mildred's young children witnessing the traumatic event from the family car. Rodney, who came to the U.S. from Liberia as a child on a medical visa, has a pending green card application but has been held without bond despite a prior pardon for a teenage burglary conviction.
His health has deteriorated significantly in detention. As a double amputee with prosthetic legs, he struggles with mobility and has developed painful bone spurs in his back. Mildred, a 41-year-old daughter of Haitian immigrants, described the emotional toll: "It was hard, going back to being a single mom again. My dream – a man who loves me and my kids – now it's gone." She experienced heart palpitations and insomnia, exacerbating her existing health issues.
Confronting Power on Capitol Hill
On March 4, in a crowded Capitol Hill hearing room, Mildred and her daughters stood to face Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Georgia Representative Lucy McBath detailed the appalling conditions Rodney endured, including crawling through feces and bodily fluids to access showers. McBath demanded to know if such "cruel and unusual" treatment was acceptable under Noem's watch, citing a letter from 21 lawmakers calling for Rodney's release.
Noem, who was fired by Donald Trump the next day, promised to review the case. For Mildred, this moment was a pivotal step in her advocacy journey, which began with little knowledge of the immigration system but grew through determination and faith. "I took on activism because of the grace of God," she said. "I didn't have the physical strength, but I knew how Rodney was suffering."
From Protests to National Spotlight
Mildred's activism started with homemade "Free Rodney Taylor" T-shirts and rallies outside ICE's Atlanta office in the summer of 2024. She connected with organizations supporting immigrants and people with disabilities, learning that advocacy required persistence beyond initial protests. Despite a "mandatory detention" policy under the Trump administration, she continued to fight for Rodney's health, even delivering a battery to charge his prosthetic legs at Stewart.
Her efforts expanded to include broader issues, such as support for detainees with disabilities and Black immigrants. She lobbied Georgia politicians, leading to involvement from Senator Raphael Warnock and state legislator Ruwa Romman. In March 2026, she marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, addressing civil rights groups about the need for solidarity. "I need y'all to support my husband, but not just him," she told them, highlighting the struggles of non-English-speaking detainees.
Ongoing Struggles and Small Victories
Rodney remains in detention, with his immigration case pending after an appeal against a deportation order. His health has worsened, including a recent flu-like illness, and ICE has obtained travel documents for potential deportation to Liberia, though his attorney asserts he cannot be deported while his appeal is active. Mildred fears for his access to healthcare outside the U.S.
Despite challenges, Mildred has achieved minor improvements, such as Stewart providing an extension cord for Rodney's prosthetic legs. She left her job in January to focus full-time on advocacy, relying on a GoFundMe to cover legal fees and living expenses. Rodney credits her resilience: "Without Mildred, I don't think I would have made it this far. I would have given up."
A System Under Scrutiny
Rodney's case reflects broader issues within ICE detention, where record populations of around 70,000 detainees face unsafe conditions. Thirteen deaths have occurred in detention this year, and reduced oversight under the current administration has heightened risks, particularly for disabled individuals. Allyson Batista of American Families United noted a surge in activism among affected families: "It's driving people to say: 'This cannot continue.'"
ICE has denied allegations of subprime conditions at Stewart, labeling Rodney a "criminal illegal alien" and claiming he was uncooperative, without providing evidence. The agency did not update on Noem's promise to review his case. Mildred remains hopeful, envisioning a future in advocacy: "I have a fire inside me." Her journey underscores the human cost of immigration policies and the power of determined activism.
