Controversial Arrest in Minneapolis Amid Heightened Immigration Tensions

Thu Jan 15 2026 05:14:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The recent arrest of a Liberian man in Minneapolis has sparked outrage, as the methods employed by immigration agents raise questions about constitutional rights and community safety.

Garrison Gibson, a 37-year-old Liberian man, was arrested by immigration agents using aggressive methods without a proper warrant. His attorney argues this incident exemplifies ongoing tensions regarding immigration enforcement, exacerbated by recent shootings that have led to protests in Minneapolis. Gibson's lengthy history of compliance with immigration checks contrasts sharply with the aggressive actions taken against him.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The arrest of Garrison Gibson, a 37-year-old Liberian man, has stirred significant community unrest in Minneapolis after immigration agents violently raided his home using a battering ram. Gibson, who had been compliant with federal immigration checks for years, was taken into custody during what the Department of Homeland Security has touted as its largest enforcement operation to date.

According to his attorney Marc Prokosch, the agents violated Gibson's constitutional rights, as they only possessed an administrative warrant that did not authorize forcible entry into personal residences. This incident has occurred in a charged atmosphere within Minneapolis, still reeling from the police shooting of 37-year-old immigration agent Renee Good, which incited protests and heightened tensions between law enforcement and local activists.

Gibson had checked in with immigration authorities just days before his arrest, adhering to the terms of his supervision stemming from a past conviction that was later overturned. His lawyer emphasized the discrepancy in the government's claims about Gibson's danger to the public, questioning why he was allowed to remain free if he posed such a threat.

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Homeland Security Department, cited a lengthy criminal history for Gibson, including serious charges. However, further examination of court records shows that Gibson's criminal background consists primarily of minor offenses and only one felony charge, which had been dismissed. The police’s forceful tactics have been met with ire, as activists began to gather at the scene, disrupting operations, with some being pepper-sprayed by agents.

Minneapolis has witnessed over 2,000 immigration arrests since the operation commenced in December, amplifying community fears and calls for an investigation into aggressive law enforcement practices. Local officials have been pushing for transparency and accountability in this ongoing situation, as protests continue to demand justice for the victims of such raids.