US citizen dragged from car by ICE in Minneapolis describes 'traumatizing' experience as she speaks out.
Aliya Rahman's ordeal began when federal agents descended upon her vehicle, claiming she was impeding their work. The 20-year-old Ecuadorian immigrant was seen on video being pulled from her car as she screamed that she had a doctor's appointment to attend. "These last few days have been traumatizing and overwhelming," Rahman said in an exclusive interview with 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."
Rahman's account of her experience has raised concerns about the tactics employed by ICE and other federal agencies in dealing with protesters and local residents. The incident comes on the heels of two recent shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis, with a US citizen being killed last week and a Venezuelan man shot dead on Wednesday evening.
Bystanders at Tuesday's confrontation shouted at agents to stop, questioning their actions. Rahman described being bound like an animal by ICE agents despite informing them that she was disabled. She claimed that after repeatedly asking for medical attention, she was only taken to the hospital once she lost consciousness.
Rahman expressed gratitude towards the medical staff at Hennepin County Medical Center Emergency Department, who provided her with hope during a traumatic experience. "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," she said.
The Department of Homeland Security has defended its agents' actions, stating that they were executing an arrest warrant for an illegal immigrant with a final order of removal. However, the agency's claims have been disputed by witnesses who reported seeing crowd-control measures being deployed, including tear gas and flash-bang grenades.
As tensions continue to simmer in Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey has condemned ICE's actions as "intolerable." CBP Commander Gregory Bovino also defended his agents' actions, stating that the woman arrested was impeding federal officers refusing to comply after multiple requests.
Aliya Rahman's ordeal began when federal agents descended upon her vehicle, claiming she was impeding their work. The 20-year-old Ecuadorian immigrant was seen on video being pulled from her car as she screamed that she had a doctor's appointment to attend. "These last few days have been traumatizing and overwhelming," Rahman said in an exclusive interview with 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."
Rahman's account of her experience has raised concerns about the tactics employed by ICE and other federal agencies in dealing with protesters and local residents. The incident comes on the heels of two recent shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis, with a US citizen being killed last week and a Venezuelan man shot dead on Wednesday evening.
Bystanders at Tuesday's confrontation shouted at agents to stop, questioning their actions. Rahman described being bound like an animal by ICE agents despite informing them that she was disabled. She claimed that after repeatedly asking for medical attention, she was only taken to the hospital once she lost consciousness.
Rahman expressed gratitude towards the medical staff at Hennepin County Medical Center Emergency Department, who provided her with hope during a traumatic experience. "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," she said.
The Department of Homeland Security has defended its agents' actions, stating that they were executing an arrest warrant for an illegal immigrant with a final order of removal. However, the agency's claims have been disputed by witnesses who reported seeing crowd-control measures being deployed, including tear gas and flash-bang grenades.
As tensions continue to simmer in Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey has condemned ICE's actions as "intolerable." CBP Commander Gregory Bovino also defended his agents' actions, stating that the woman arrested was impeding federal officers refusing to comply after multiple requests.
This is just so sad and infuriating at the same time... Can't believe these agents would drag someone from their car like an animal! 
I mean, I know they were trying to do their job, but that doesn't give them the right to be so brutal and violent. And what's with all this talk about "executing an arrest warrant"? It feels like a whole lot of overkill to me. 
Newsweek said she was even asked for medical attention by her own agents, and they only took her to the hospital after she lost consciousness! 
How can we trust these agencies to treat people with dignity when they're so clearly willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want? 
this is so messed up what's going on with ice in usa they're treating ppl like animals and it's not right alia is a victim here she deserves all the help and support and i hope justice is served soon 
can't believe these agents used tear gas and flash bang grenades on innocent bystanders 
and then they have the nerve to say they were executing an arrest warrant 
mayor frey should be leading the charge against ice's cruel tactics 
. I mean, who needs politics when you have cute animals? Aliya Rahman's experience sounds super scary though... like, what even is an arrest warrant for not leaving your car? And what's with all the tear gas and flash-bang grenades? Can't they just talk to people instead of using all that force? 
Anyway, back to cats – I wonder if they have piano lessons too 
this is straight outta a horror movie what kinda world do we live in where people get dragged from their cars like they're some kinda animal ?? i'm so angry on Aliya's behalf, she had a doctor's appointment and was just trying to go through her day... and then these guys come out of nowhere and assault her 
and now there's even more violence coming from the feds in Minneapolis... it's like they think they're above the law or something 
mayor frey needs to do better than just condemning their actions, he needs to take action against ICE and CBP once and for all 
. It's also super concerning that there were reports of tear gas and flash-bang grenades being deployed during this whole ordeal 
. I mean, what kind of "arrest" involves all that? 
. The medical staff at Hennepin County Medical Center Emergency Department sound like total heroes 
. And it's awesome to see Mayor Jacob Frey speaking out against ICE's actions - he's definitely taking a stand for what's right 
. Maybe this can be an opportunity for change and more accountability from our authorities? Fingers crossed! 