Garrison Gibson, a 37-year-old man from Liberia, was arrested by immigration agents in Minneapolis during what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has described as its largest enforcement operation to date. His attorney, Marc Prokosch, claimed that the arrest constituted a "blatant constitutional violation" due to the lack of a proper warrant, as the agents only possessed an administrative warrant, which does not permit forced entry into private residences.

Gibson, who fled the Liberian civil war as a child, had been living in the U.S. under an order of supervision, requiring him to check in regularly with immigration authorities. Prokosch noted that Gibson had recently complied with this requirement, raising questions about the necessity and legality of the aggressive tactics employed during his arrest. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that Gibson has a criminal history but did not clarify whether the mentioned offenses were arrests, charges, or convictions. Court records indicate that his legal history primarily consists of minor infractions, with only one felony conviction from 2008 that was later dismissed. Following his arrest, Gibson was briefly transferred to Texas before being returned to Minnesota after legal intervention.

The operation has occurred in a context of heightened tension following the shooting death of Renee Good by immigration agents, which has led to public protests and calls for accountability. Activists have expressed concern over the use of force by federal agents, as evidenced by reports of agents using pepper spray against demonstrators during Gibson's arrest. The enforcement operation has resulted in over 2,000 arrests in Minnesota since its inception in December, prompting state and local officials to seek transparency and accountability from federal authorities regarding the use of force and the circumstances surrounding Good's death. The DHS has indicated plans to send additional federal agents to Minnesota to support ongoing enforcement efforts.

In response to the increased federal enforcement actions, Hwa Jeong Kim, the Vice President of the St. Paul City Council, has urged residents to support individuals evading federal immigration enforcement by providing groceries and monitoring the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the Twin Cities. In her video, Kim reported an increase in federal enforcement actions, claiming that several individuals, including families, had been detained earlier that day. She characterized the situation as dire, stating, "It’s not even noon, and ICE has already kidnapped five of my neighbors," and asserted that federal agents outnumber local police in Minnesota. Kim introduced a community initiative termed a "mutual aid grocery run" to assist workers who may be too fearful to shop due to the threat of enforcement actions. Additionally, she encouraged residents to document sightings of federal agents and report them to her office.

Critics of Kim's remarks have accused her of promoting interference with federal law enforcement and have called for her arrest for allegedly aiding undocumented individuals. This incident follows Kim's previous confrontations with federal authorities, including her calls for accountability regarding a fatal shooting involving an ICE agent, which had previously sparked protests in Minnesota. The controversy occurs amid ongoing legal disputes over sanctuary policies in Minnesota, with the U.S. Department of Justice having filed a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota and several local jurisdictions, claiming that their policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and violate constitutional provisions.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), along with its Minnesota affiliate and several law firms, has filed a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration on behalf of three individuals whose constitutional rights were reportedly violated by ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This legal action arises from incidents in which federal agents allegedly conducted warrantless arrests and engaged in racial profiling, particularly against Somali and Latino communities in Minnesota. Reports indicate that these agents have been involved in indiscriminate arrests without warrants or probable cause, raising concerns about the violation of basic human rights.

The lawsuit specifically challenges the administration's policies that allow for racial profiling and unlawful detentions. One plaintiff, Mubashir Khalif Hussen, a U.S. citizen, described an encounter where he was stopped by ICE agents who did not inquire about his citizenship status or provide any justification for his detention. ACLU representatives have condemned the actions of ICE and CBP, asserting that such practices not only contravene legal standards but also instill fear within immigrant communities. They argue that the government's approach undermines the principles of liberty and equality that are foundational to the legal system. This lawsuit is part of a larger context of escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly under the current administration, which has been criticized for its aggressive tactics and the militarization of immigration enforcement.