MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Garrison Gibson, a 38-year-old man from Liberia who fled civil war as a child, has expressed intense fear of leaving his home in Minneapolis following his recent release from immigration detention. His arrest coincided with the Trump administration's latest immigration crackdown, which has led to over 2,500 arrests in the Twin Cities.
On January 11, federal officers forcefully broke down Gibson's front door, a moment that has galvanized local protesters who stand against the administration's harsh immigration policies. Protests and counterprotests were anticipated as tensions flare amidst ongoing enforcement actions.
Gibson, who faced deportation due to a dismissed 2008 drug conviction, has been living legally under an order of supervision. However, after being detained briefly during a routine check-in, a judge ruled in his favor, citing insufficient notification regarding his supervision status revocation.
The White House has denied claims that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller was involved in Gibson's re-arrest, reinforcing their stance that the government's crackdown aims to target 'criminal illegal aliens.'
Gibson's cousin, Abena Abraham, reported that ICE officials indicated he was arrested on Miller’s orders. Despite the turmoil, Gibson has vowed not to surrender: 'If I was a violent person, I would not have been out these past 17 years, checking in.'
As echoes of fear ripple through the immigrant community, the Department of Homeland Security described its Minnesota operation as the 'largest yet,' contributing to daily protests in this liberal stronghold.
In response to the outcry, a federal judge ruled that officers cannot detain or gas peaceful protesters unless they obstruct official actions, adding a layer of legal protection for demonstrators during these contentious times.
