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By Dan Gooding and Billal Rahman
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A U.S. citizen dragged from her car by federal agents in Minneapolis told Newsweek on Thursday that the past few days had been “traumatizing and overwhelming”.
Aliya Rahman was seen on video being pulled from her vehicle by agents after the Department of Homeland Security alleged she impeded them in their work. In the footage, she could be heard screaming that she was trying to get to a doctor's appointment.
“These last few days have been traumatizing and overwhelming,” Rahman told Newsweek. “First and foremost, I feel lucky to be alive. What I thought would be a routine trip to my appointment at the Traumatic Brain Injury Center turned into an assault by federal agents.”
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Why It Matters
After federal agents descended on the Twin Cities in large numbers, tensions grew between them and locals. Last week, a U.S. citizen was shot dead by an ICE agent in a Minneapolis neighborhood, while a Venezuelan man was shot by a federal agent in the city on Wednesday evening. Agents have also been criticized for aggressive tactics in dealing with protestors, but DHS has said it is the protestors who are being violent towards its agents.
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What To Know
Bystanders at Tuesday’s confrontation shouted at agents to stop, with some questioning their actions.
“Masked agents dragged me from my car and bound me like an animal, even after I told them that I was disabled,” Rahman said. “This happened just two blocks from where Renee Good was murdered, so I am very aware that this confrontation could have ended differently for me.”
Rahman, who is being represented by the MacArthur Justice Center, told Newsweek that she repeatedly asked for a doctor while she was in ICE custody, only being taken to the hospital once she lost consciousness.
“I want to thank the medical staff at the Hennepin County Medical Center Emergency Department for taking care of me. They gave me hope when I thought I was going to die,” she said. “I may have more to say in the coming days but for now, I am relieved to be safe and ask for privacy as I heal from my injuries and navigate how to move forward from this traumatic experience.”
DHS told Newsweek on Wednesday that agents were executing an arrest warrant for an illegal immigrant with a final order of removal, identified as Jonathan Chachipanta Pualacin, 20, from Ecuador.
As agents carried out the operation in the Park Avenue area of the city, a group gathered and began impeding law enforcement, the department claimed. At the same time, a woman refused to move her vehicle, despite multiple requests from federal officers.
Witnesses reported that agents deployed crowd-control measures, including tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and pepper balls, as demonstrators gathered.
What People Are Saying
A DHS spokesperson told Newsweek on Wednesday: “As officers carried out their law enforcement duties, a significant crowd surrounded them and began impeding law enforcement operations— a federal crime. One agitator ignored multiple commands by an officer to move her vehicle away from the scene, she was arrested for obstruction. Another agitator assaulted an officer by jumping on his back. Six of these agitators were taken into custody for assaulting law enforcement.”
CBP Commander at Large Gregory Bovino, on X: “The lady who was arrested was impeding Federal officers refusing to comply after several requests. Officers had no other choice but to remove and arrest her. This was her choice entirely.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, posting about the second shooting in Minneapolis Wednesday night: “I have seen conduct from ICE that is intolerable. And for anyone taking the bait tonight, stop. It is not helpful. We cannot respond to Donald Trump’s chaos with our own chaos.”
What Happens Next
DHS has said its efforts in Minnesota will continue, with protests still taking place around the Twin Cities.
Update 1/15/26, 3:47 p.m. ET: This article was updated with information on Aliya Rahman's representation.
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