Aliya Rahman, the Minneapolis woman whose arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was captured in widely shared video, has spoken publicly about her experience for the first time.
Rahman told reporters she was attempting to drive to a medical appointment at the Traumatic Brain Injury Center when she encountered federal officers conducting enforcement actions on January 13 in Minneapolis. Video of the incident shows agents breaking her car window and removing her from the vehicle as crowds and noise engulfed the scene.
In an interview, Rahman said the encounter was “terrifying” and dehumanizing, particularly because of her disability. She told CNN she is autistic and has auditory processing challenges, which made it difficult for her to follow the rapid and conflicting instructions she said officers issued during the chaotic confrontation.
Rahman disputed claims by the Department of Homeland Security, which described her as an “agitator” who ignored repeated commands to move her car away from the scene. She said she was not part of a protest and was simply trying to get to a doctor’s appointment when she was stopped.
She also described her treatment while in federal custody, saying she was denied accommodations for her disability, including a walking cane and wheelchair support, and that she eventually lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital. Rahman characterized parts of her confinement as “dehumanizing” and urged reforms in how agencies handle individuals with disabilities.
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Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara has publicly expressed concern after viewing the video, saying he was “pissed off” by the treatment shown and that officers under his command would face consequences for similar conduct.
DHS has stated that Rahman was given warnings and ultimately arrested on suspicion of obstruction after allegedly impeding law enforcement operations, though it has not publicly disclosed charges.
Rahman said she is now focusing on recovery and asks for privacy as she heals from her injuries and considers her next steps following the traumatic experience.
THE WOMAN WHO WAS DRAGGED OUT OF HER CAR AND ARRESTED BY ICE SPEAKS OUT…
We’ve all seen the videos, but it matters to hear Aliya Rahman say it herself.
📌 She says her treatment in custody was dehumanizing, and that officers completely failed to take her disability seriously.… pic.twitter.com/aCz3izc4rf
— Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline) January 20, 2026
