Federal Judge Orders Release of Liberian Man Detained by Immigration Agents

Fri Jan 16 2026 09:15:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan ruled that immigration agents unlawfully arrested Garrison Gibson, violating his Fourth Amendment rights. This decision comes amid increasing ICE actions in Minnesota, sparking controversy and fear within the community.

A federal judge in Minnesota ordered the release of Garrison Gibson, a Liberian man detained by immigration agents who forcibly entered his home without a warrant. Judge Bryan determined that the arrest violated Gibson's Fourth Amendment rights. Gibson had checked in with immigration authorities just days before his arrest, and his case illustrates the increased immigration enforcement occurring in Minnesota. His attorney criticized the agents' actions as a constitutional violation.

A federal judge in Minnesota on Thursday ordered the release of a Liberian man four days after heavily armed immigration agents broke into his home using a battering ram and arrested him.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan stated that the agents violated Garrison Gibson’s Fourth Amendment rights against unlawful search and seizure.

“To arrest him, Respondents forcibly entered Garrison G.’s home without his consent and without a judicial warrant,” he explained.

The Department of Homeland Security has been ramping up immigration arrests in Minnesota, labeling it its largest enforcement operation, with more than 2,500 arrests reported since November 29.

Gibson’s attorney, Marc Prokosch, expressed his delight at the judge’s decision, having filed a habeas corpus petition. He condemned the arrest as a “blatant constitutional violation,” emphasizing that the agents acted without a valid warrant.

During the raid, Gibson’s wife and their 9-year-old child were present in their Minneapolis home, leaving them deeply shaken by the incident.

Gibson, 37, was initially held at an immigration detention center in Albert Lea after being moved from a large camp at Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, Texas.

However, DHS did not provide an immediate comment regarding the order or the circumstances surrounding Gibson’s case.

Having fled the Liberian civil war as a child, Gibson faced deportation due to a 2008 drug conviction, which was later dismissed. Despite this, he had remained legally in the country under an order of supervision.

Just days prior to his arrest, Gibson had met with immigration authorities, raising serious concerns over the enforcement tactics employed against him. Judge Bryan highlighted that Gibson’s rights were violated as he was not given sufficient notice about the revocation of his supervision order and was not interviewed immediately post-arrest.

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Homeland Security Department, indicated Gibson has a “lengthy rap sheet,” though she did not clarify whether these were arrests or accusations. Court records detail only one felony along with minor infractions.

Minneapolis continues to be a focal point in President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign, prompting anxiety community-wide, particularly following recent violent confrontations involving immigration agents.