Immigrant’s Arrest Sparks Outrage Amid Controversial Immigration Crackdown in Minnesota

Thu Jan 15 2026 05:45:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The arrest of Garrison Gibson, a Liberian immigrant, by heavily armed ICE agents has ignited protests and raised legal concerns about immigration enforcement practices in Minnesota.

Garrison Gibson, a 37-year-old Liberian man, was arrested during a major immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota. His lawyer claims the arrest violated constitutional rights due to the absence of a proper warrant. This incident follows the fatal shooting of an immigrant by ICE agents, intensifying local unrest and drawing attention to the controversial methods used in the enforcement operations. Activists have mobilized in response, highlighting concerns over the methods of arresting individuals who have been complying with immigration regulations.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The recent arrest of Garrison Gibson, a 37-year-old Liberian immigrant, during an extensive immigration raid in Minneapolis has led to widespread protests and legal scrutiny. Gibson, who had been in compliance with immigration requirements by regularly checking in with authorities, was taken into custody by heavily armed ICE agents using a battering ram.

His lawyer, Marc Prokosch, labeled the arrest a “blatant constitutional violation,” insisting the agents lacked a proper warrant, as they only had an administrative warrant that permitted arrest but not forced home entry. This event occurred amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old immigrant Renee Good by an ICE agent, which had already sparked considerable outrage and protests.

“If he’s this dangerous person, then why are they letting him walk around?” Prokosch questioned, pointing out that Gibson was due for another check-in with immigration officials in a couple of months.

Gibson fled Liberia as a child during the civil war and has faced legal challenges in the U.S. due to a dismissed drug conviction from 2008. Despite this, he had been allowed to reside in the U.S. legally under an order of supervision.

The situation escalated as activists attempted to block the immigration operation, resulting in clashes with authorities where demonstrators were reportedly pepper-sprayed. Minneapolis has been grappling with immigration enforcement issues amplified by the administration's policies and has seen over 2,000 immigration arrests since operations ramped up in December.

Following his arrest, Gibson was initially taken to Texas but was quickly returned to Minnesota after his lawyer filed a habeas corpus petition, aiming to contest the legality of his detention. As of now, Gibson remains in custody in a local immigration detention center, with ongoing concerns about the methods and justifications surrounding immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities.