Liberian Man Arrested Again in Minnesota After Judge's Release Order

Fri Jan 16 2026 22:24:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A Liberian man, Garrison Gibson, was re-arrested in Minnesota by immigration officials just a day after a judge ordered his release, raising concerns over improper arrests.

Garrison Gibson, a 37-year-old Liberian man who fled civil war as a child, was ordered released by a U.S. District Judge after an unlawful arrest by immigration agents. However, he was taken back into custody shortly after attending a scheduled immigration check-in. This incident highlights ongoing tensions and increased scrutiny around immigration enforcement practices in Minneapolis, where over 2,500 arrests have occurred during recent crackdowns.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (PulseWire) — A Liberian man named Garrison Gibson is back in custody this Friday, reported his lawyer, merely a day after a judge ordered him released due to the unlawful nature of his arrest by federal agents.

The arrest of Gibson, captured on video using a battering ram last weekend, sparked a legal challenge. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan characterized the initial arrest as unlawful; however, confusion arose when Gibson was detained once again during a routine immigration office check-in. Gibson's attorney, Marc Prokosch, recounted the chaotic atmosphere during the encounter, with multiple officers descending unexpectedly and re-arresting Gibson.

This reinstated detainment is part of a larger operation, which has seen over 2,500 arrests in a weeks-long immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and nearby St. Paul, intensified following recent violent incidents. Gibson, 37, who fled the Liberian civil war as a child, had previously been ordered removed from the U.S. due to an old criminal charge that has since been dismissed. He has been allowed to stay in the country legally under an order of supervision, necessitating regular check-ins with immigration authorities.

In light of Gibson's situation, tribal leaders and Native American rights organizations are advising community members to carry their tribal IDs for protection against ICE encounters, with reports indicating an increase in checks and detentions targeting Native Americans. The situation continues to develop as community and legal representatives challenge the conduct of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.