A federal immigration detainee has filed a civil lawsuit alleging that his constitutional rights were violated during his detention at a Louisiana facility operated under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The complaint was submitted by Manna Massaquoi on March 5, 2026, in the United States Middle District Court of Louisiana against defendants including ICE, GEO Group Inc., and several staff members at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center.
According to court documents, Massaquoi is a legal immigrant from Liberia who has been held in federal immigration civil detention since August 10, 2022. He states that he was housed at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center (CLIPC) from March 4, 2024 to September 4, 2025. The named defendants include Rebecca Gurganus, Jeffrey Free, Eric McFarland, Jimmy Bingham, Richard Voohies—each identified as responsible for daily operations or welfare of detainees—as well as GEO Group Inc., which contracts with ICE to operate the facility.
The lawsuit outlines claims under both Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics and Section 1983 of Title 42 of the United States Code. Massaquoi asserts that while detained at CLIPC on November 21, 2024, his personal property was moved without his request from one cell to another pod’s camera-monitored cell while he accessed outdoor recreation. He claims this action subjected him to unlawful twenty-four-hour surveillance.
Massaquoi further alleges that after being placed under constant observation failed to elicit a reaction from him, staff then confiscated all commissary items from his assigned cell. According to the complaint, “the Defendants then took all of the Plaintiff’s commissary items from his assigned cell while still being held in the surveillance cell and said that [s]he have excessive commissary items,” despite rules allowing him to order up to $150 worth of commissary twice weekly.
The plaintiff states that these actions were taken under color of federal and state law by individuals acting in their official capacities as employees or contractors responsible for detainee welfare. Massaquoi also affirms that he has exhausted all administrative remedies required by law before bringing this action.
In terms of relief sought from the court, Massaquoi requests a declaration that defendants violated his constitutional rights as defined by federal, state, and local laws. He asks for an injunction preventing defendants from engaging in similar conduct against him or other civil detainees at CLIPC or any other immigration detention facilities nationwide. Additionally, he seeks compensatory and punitive damages totaling $15,999.99 for alleged harm suffered during detention.
The complaint concludes with a request for any additional relief deemed necessary by the court “as the interest of justice may require.” The filing lists Manna Massaquoi as representing himself pro se and provides contact information at the Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Angola, Louisiana. No attorney names are provided in the document for either party. The case is identified as Case No. 3:26-cv-00244-JWD-EWD.
Source: 326cv00244_Manna_Massaquoi_v_Rebecca_Gurganus_Complaint_Middle_District_of_Luoisiana.pdf
