Aliya Rahman, a U.S. citizen, faced a distressing encounter with immigration officers in Minneapolis as she was en route to a medical appointment. In a dramatic video that has circulated widely on social media, Rahman can be seen being forcibly removed from her vehicle by ICE agents amidst chaos and protests, prompting public outrage and national scrutiny.
Rahman reported that she was taken to a detention center where she experienced a denial of medical attention, leading to a loss of consciousness. The Department of Homeland Security labeled her as an agitator working against their operations, escalating the tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the city.
Federal authorities have intensified their enforcement actions, with numerous arrests occurring amid ongoing protests, a move critics have described as a “federal invasion” of the community.
During the incident, video footage shows federal agents smashing the passenger-side window of Rahman's car while other officers forcibly extracted her from the vehicle, even as she expressed her disability and need for medical care. The arrest sparked widespread condemnation and raised questions about the treatment of detainees by agency officials.
Discrepancies in narratives emerged as the DHS contended that Rahman ignored police commands to vacate the area, contrasting sharply with her experience of being treated as an animal during her detainment. The clash has brought to light the escalating atmosphere of fear and heightened vigilance experienced by citizens and immigrants alike in Minneapolis.
In light of the heightened enforcement, civilians have begun carrying whistles for protection and to signal others in the community when ICE agents are present, as they attempt to safeguard their neighbors and fight against perceived injustices.
Rahman described her harrowing experience upon regaining consciousness in a detention cell, where she repeatedly requested access to medical care only to be ultimately transported to a hospital after losing consciousness while in custody. She expressed gratitude towards the emergency department staff who provided her care after the ordeal.
