Monrovia — Dozens of Liberian nationals convicted of great crimes in america have been arrested in a sweeping collection of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and now face imminent deportation, with 9 anticipated to reach in Liberia on Thursday, in keeping with sources conversant in the method.
By Jaheim Tumu, [email protected]
The arrests are a part of Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale immigration enforcement marketing campaign launched by the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) concentrating on what officers describe because the “worst of the worst” felony undocumented immigrants throughout a number of states, together with Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.
In a strongly worded assertion, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at DHS, mentioned the operation centered on people convicted of violent and sexual crimes, together with offenses towards youngsters.
“Yesterday, our legislation enforcement arrested monsters who sexually abused and raped youngsters. These are the kind of sickos we’re getting out of our neighborhoods,” McLaughlin mentioned. “For those who come to our nation illegally and break our legal guidelines, we are going to hunt you down, arrest you, and take away you from our nation.”
Liberians Amongst These Arrested
DHS confirmed that Liberian nationals are amongst these detained. Officers launched names and pictures of a number of people taken into custody, highlighting in depth felony histories.
These recognized embody Blayon Lawrence Yuoh, described as a Liberian nationwide convicted of rape, sexual assault, theft, larceny, assault, obstructing police, and possession of stolen property; Hassan Kromah, arrested in Philadelphia and convicted of rape and failure to register as a intercourse offender; Monica Zota, convicted of fraud; and Victor Pyne, arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, with convictions together with sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a minor.
It isn’t established whether or not the deportees type a part of a broader enforcement push that has resulted in additional than 2,500 detentions throughout the Minneapolis–St. Paul space and past since late 2025.
Liberian Authorities Conscious of Deportations
The Liberian authorities has but to problem an official assertion on the arrests and impending deportations. Nevertheless, a authorities supply, talking on situation of anonymity, confirmed that authorities are conscious of 9 Liberians scheduled for deportation this week.
The supply famous that Liberia receives deportees from america yearly, although the dimensions and publicity surrounding the present enforcement surge are unusually excessive.
Authorized Challenges and Controversy
Whereas DHS maintains the operation targets violent repeat offenders, civil liberties teams and native officers have raised issues concerning the scope and strategies of the enforcement actions, significantly in sanctuary jurisdictions.
One high-profile case entails Garrison Gibson, a 37-year-old Liberian immigrant in Minnesota, who was arrested through the operation, released by court docket order, re-arrested, and launched once more inside 48 hours.
A U.S. District Choose, Jeffrey Bryan, dominated that Gibson’s preliminary arrest violated the Fourth Modification, discovering that ICE brokers forcibly entered his house with out consent or a judicial warrant. In his ruling, the decide ordered Gibson’s speedy launch, declaring the detention illegal.
Courtroom data present Gibson fled Liberia’s civil conflict as a baby and has lived within the U.S. for years below an order of supervision, complying with common check-ins and monitoring necessities.
Video footage of Gibson’s arrest — displaying closely armed brokers utilizing a battering ram to enter his house — circulated extensively on-line, intensifying public scrutiny of ICE’s techniques. Gibson’s spouse, Teyana Brown, mentioned brokers didn’t current a judicial warrant earlier than coming into their house and left their residence broken.
Regardless of DHS claims that Gibson had a “prolonged rap sheet,” the court docket discovered that immigration officers didn’t observe correct procedures earlier than revoking his supervision standing.
Heightened Scrutiny of ICE Techniques
The Gibson case has grow to be a flashpoint amid rising debate over federal immigration enforcement, significantly the legality of house entries, use of pressure, and protections afforded to long-term residents below supervision.
Talking publicly, Gibson mentioned he’ll proceed preventing deportation to Liberia, a rustic he has not visited since fleeing as a baby.
In the meantime, DHS insists the operation is critical to guard public security, whereas critics argue the aggressive techniques danger undermining constitutional protections and eroding belief inside immigrant communities.
As deportations proceed, consideration is now centered on how Liberia will obtain these eliminated and whether or not Monrovia will formally have interaction Washington over the dealing with of Liberian nationals caught within the crackdown.
