Re-arrest of Liberian Man Sparks Controversy in Minnesota Immigration Crackdown

Fri Jan 16 2026 22:18:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Garrison Gibson's recent re-arrest raises questions about the legality of immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis. Following a judge's decision declaring his initial arrest unlawful, tensions rise as federal agents continue a controversial immigration operation.

A Liberian man, Garrison Gibson, was taken back into custody in Minnesota only a day after a judge ruled his previous arrest by federal agents was unlawful. This incident is part of a larger immigration enforcement effort that has seen over 2,500 arrests in the Minneapolis area, leading to growing concerns among tribal leaders and community organizations.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (RTWNews) — Garrison Gibson, a Liberian immigrant in Minnesota, is back in custody as of Friday, according to his lawyer. This development follows a judge's ruling that deemed his previous arrest unlawful due to federal agents breaking down his door without a judicial warrant.

Gibson's dramatic arrest, which took place last weekend and was captured on video, was executed by armed immigration agents. Despite the ruling from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan, Gibson was detained once more when he attended an immigration office for a regular check-in, his attorney Marc Prokosch reported, expressing confusion at the renewed custody.

“We were there for a check-in and the original officer said, ‘This looks good, I’ll be right back,’” Prokosch explained. “Then, chaos ensued as multiple officers appeared and stated they would be taking him back into custody.”

This incident is part of a broader immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and St. Paul, which has reportedly resulted in over 2,500 arrests. Critics argue that the operations have become increasingly aggressive, particularly following the fatal shooting of a woman named Renee Good earlier this month, which has intensified community apprehension.

Gibson, 37, fled Liberia during its civil war as a child and was ordered to be removed from the U.S. due to a past drug conviction that was later dismissed. He has been living under a legal order of supervision, requiring regular check-ins with immigration authorities.

In light of these developments, tribal leaders and Native American advocacy organizations have urged individuals to carry their tribal identification when in public, as reports of ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) encounters have risen among Native Americans.

Ben Barnes, chief of the Shawnee Tribe in Oklahoma, voiced concerns: “The reports of detentions are deeply troubling.”

Community organizers in Minneapolis have begun setting up ID application booths to assist those in need of tribal identification. Moreover, FBI Director Kash Patel reported that one individual has been arrested for theft related to vandalism of FBI vehicles, emphasizing the tense situation in the area. As protests erupt and tensions rise, President Trump has signaled a potential invocation of the Insurrection Act to respond to growing unrest during immigration sweeps, a move that Minnesota’s attorney general has pledged to challenge in court.