Minneapolis family demands judicial warrant as federal agents bust door during raid
ICE busts door, Minneapolis family demands judicial warrant
A Minneapolis family is calling for Garrison Gibson's release from ICE custody after armed federal agents used a door-breaching battering ram to get inside the man’s home. His lawyer argues agents violated his rights by not having a judicial warrant.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Loved ones are demanding the immediate release of Garrison Gibson from ICE custody after armed federal agents used a door-breaching battering ram to arrest him inside his Minneapolis home.
Gibson’s legal team has since filed a habeas petition, arguing the arrest violated his constitutional rights because ICE did not have a judicial warrant.
Arrest caught on camera
What we know:
Video captured the arrest of Garrison Gibson inside his north Minneapolis home on Sunday morning.
Armed federal agents used a battering ram to enter the house after his family demanded to see a judicial warrant.
His loved ones documented the unfolding immigration enforcement operation live on Facebook.
Questions surround Liberian native arrested by ICE at Minneapolis home
Questions surround the ICE arrest of a Liberian native at his Minneapolis home over the weekend. The man's legal team says ICE didn't have a judicial warrant to enter the home, but they used a battering ram to get in any way.
Within 24 hours, Gibson’s legal team had filed a habeas petition, asking a federal judge to release him immediately.
"Any American should be terrified by that because that is such an egregious violation of the Fourth Amendment," Gibson’s immigration attorney, Marc Prokosch, told FOX 9. "That is from our Bill of Rights. To see a battering ram coming to the front door of your house with a 9-year-old inside is just terrifying."
Living under ICE supervision
Dig deeper:
According to court filings, Gibson is a 38-year-old Liberian citizen, who has a final immigration removal order dating back to 2009.
But he has lived under ICE supervision for more than 15 years with a past drug conviction that has been cleared from his record.
DHS statement on arrest
The other side:
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement saying Gibson has a "lengthy rap sheet" that includes robbery, drug possession with the intent to sell, possession of a deadly weapon, malicious destruction and theft.
DHS did not say where or when those alleged offenses occurred or whether they resulted in convictions.
A review of court records shows he has not been convicted of any of those charges in Minnesota.
In an email to the FOX 9 Investigators, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Gibson an immigration judge issued a final order of removal for Gibson in 2023 and he will "remain in ICE custody until his removal proceedings."
Prokosch says Gibson had just checked in with ICE officials approximately two weeks prior and had another meeting on the calendar at the end of the month.
But now he questions the tactics of federal law enforcement.
"Why this use of force?" asked Prokosch. "Why not just wait for him to come back because he is not like a violent criminal."
DHS did not respond to questions from the FOX 9 Investigators about why agents used a battering ram to bust down his door instead of detaining him at his recent hearing.
Behind bars in Freeborn County
What's next:
Attorneys for DHS have been given a couple more days to file a response to the allegations before the judge ultimately rules on Gibson’s habeas petition.
In the meantime, the judge has ordered DHS not to move Gibson.
His family reports that he is currently being held at the Freeborn County jail in Albert Lea.