Minnesota Man Fears Leaving Home After Immigration Arrest

Sun Jan 18 2026 00:02:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A Liberian immigrant expresses fear in Minneapolis after being re-arrested during a federal immigration crackdown, highlighting ongoing tensions and protests.

Garrison Gibson, a Liberian immigrant, resides in fear after a recent immigration detention, stemming from a dubious drug conviction later dismissed. His case has sparked significant protests against federal immigration actions in Minnesota, which have seen over 2,000 arrests. Federal officials claim they are targeting 'criminal illegal aliens,' while critics decry excessive enforcement tactics that include home invasions and aggressive interactions with demonstrators. In a recent development, a judge ruled against detaining peaceful protesters in these operations.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Garrison Gibson, who fled the civil war in Liberia as a child, has expressed fears about leaving his Minneapolis home after being released from an immigration detention center post-arrest during federal enforcement operations. A video capturing federal agents forcibly entering his home has become emblematic of the protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Gibson, now 38, was ordered deported due to a past drug conviction from 2008, which had been subsequently dismissed. Despite this, he was detained until a judge stated federal officials had failed to provide adequate notice regarding the revocation of his supervision status.

Following Gibson's arrest, his cousin reported that agents informed them that a high-ranking White House official had ordered the re-arrest. This account was later denied by the White House.

The lack of public safety around immigration enforcement has ignited protests in the deeply liberal Twin Cities, fueled by reports of aggressive tactics used by immigration officers targeting individuals across various settings.

I don't leave the house, Gibson stated at a news conference, reflecting on the profound impact of these immigration actions on his daily life.

The Department of Homeland Security defended the crackdown during a press briefing, characterizing Gibson's case as exemplifying the urgency to remove individuals deemed a risk to community safety.

The ongoing enforcement actions in Minnesota mark a significant campaign, labeled the largest execution of immigration enforcement in the region, and have led to daily protests amidst rising tensions surrounding immigration policies.