MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (FlashPoint) — Garrison Gibson, a Liberian man living in Minnesota, has been re-arrested by federal immigration agents just a day after a judge ordered his release due to the unlawful nature of his initial arrest.
Gibson's dramatic capture, involving armed agents breaching his home with a battering ram, was deemed illegal by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan. However, Gibson was taken back into custody when he attended a scheduled check-in at an immigration office, according to his attorney, Marc Prokosch.
The original officer said, 'This looks good, I’ll be right back,' only for chaos to ensue as multiple officers arrived and declared he was being taken into custody again, Prokosch said in disbelief.
This incident has drawn attention amidst a broader immigration enforcement operation that has seen over 2,500 arrests in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas. Such operations have become increasingly contentious following incidents of violence earlier this year, including a fatal shooting tied to immigration enforcement.
Gibson, 37, fled Liberia’s civil war as a child and has been living in the U.S. under an order of supervision related to a past drug conviction that was later dismissed. His legal stay required periodic check-ins with immigration authorities, highlighting the precarious situation faced by many in the immigrant community.
In response to increasing reports of detentions, tribal leaders and rights organizations are advising Native American individuals to carry their tribal IDs at all times in light of recent encounters with ICE.
Activists have expressed deep concerns regarding these immigration crackdowns, emphasizing that many who fall victim to enforcement actions are often caught in a process rife with legal and procedural faults.
As community advocates work to provide support, Minnesota’s Attorney General has indicated possible legal action should federal interventions escalate, particularly concerning the potential use of military force against protesters.
