Federal Judge Rules ICE Arrest of Liberian National Unconstitutional in Minnesota

Court Finds Fourth Amendment Breach and Internal Policy Violations

A federal judge in Minnesota has ruled that the January 2026 arrest of Garrison Gibson, a 37-year-old Liberian national, by U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement was unconstitutional, citing serious violations of constitutional rights and agency procedures. U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Bryan determined that ICE agents unlawfully entered Gibson’s North Minneapolis home on January 11, 2026, using a battering ram without a judicial warrant.

The court found that the agents violated the Fourth Amendment by forcing entry based solely on administrative paperwork rather than a warrant signed by a judge, which is legally required to enter a private residence.

In addition to the unlawful entry, the ruling highlighted procedural failures by ICE, noting that Gibson was not informed of the reasons for revoking his supervised release and was denied an informal interview, both mandated under agency regulations.

Gibson, who fled Liberia’s civil war as a child, had been living legally in the United States under an order of supervision and had consistently complied with required check-ins. After the judge ordered his immediate release on January 15, Gibson was re-arrested the following morning when he appeared for a routine check-in. He was released again hours later after his attorneys filed additional legal challenges.

The arrest occurred during a broader immigration enforcement effort in Minnesota known as Operation Metro Surge, which has drawn increased legal scrutiny following the ruling.