The viral video of a screaming woman being dragged from her car by ICE agents tells a dramatically different story than what activists want you to believe.
The Arrest That Sparked Outrage
On January 13, 2026, masked ICE agents forcibly removed Aliya Rahman from her vehicle on a Minneapolis street during an immigration enforcement operation. The dramatic scene unfolded as protesters blocked streets and Rahman allegedly refused orders to move her car forward, impeding federal vehicles. Agents smashed her passenger window, unlocked her door, and pulled her out while she screamed about being disabled and needing to reach a doctor.
The viral footage shows Rahman being handcuffed and carried face-down to a federal vehicle while protesters shouted objections. The incident occurred less than a week after ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in a separate confrontation, creating a powder keg atmosphere in the city known for its progressive activism.
Behind the Activist Persona
Rahman’s background reveals a complex figure far removed from the innocent victim narrative initially promoted by supporters. Court records show she has guilty pleas for criminal trespassing and DUI in Ohio, along with charges for following too closely, improper stopping, and disorderly conduct. Additional violations in Illinois include driving without insurance, painting a pattern of legal troubles spanning multiple jurisdictions.
The 43-year-old software engineer holds cybersecurity certifications and a master’s degree from Purdue University. She currently directs programs at Wellstone, a nonprofit organization focused on training progressive leaders, particularly emphasizing what she describes as “queer, immigrant, and femme leadership.” Her advocacy work spans racial justice, LGBT issues, and police technology policy reform.
The screaming woman (Aliya Rahman) who was filmed being pulled from her car by ICE agents in Minneapolis has been identified as a tech guru and LGBT and racial justice activist who describes herself as a “friendly neighborhood deniable asset.” https://t.co/CTbsTL1OxC
— P Granny (@PGranacher) January 14, 2026
Professional Activist with Deep Connections
Rahman’s professional network extends throughout progressive organizations including Black Lives Matter, Code for Progress, and Tech for Social Justice. She previously held fellowships with New America’s Open Technology Institute, focusing on police body camera policies. Her activism traces back to childhood experiences in Bangladesh, where she witnessed garment worker protests that shaped her worldview.
Born in the United States to Bangladeshi parents, Rahman moved to Bangladesh after the 1971 Liberation War before returning for college. She has worked as an educator on Native American reservations and describes herself on social media as a “deniable asset,” suggesting a more calculated approach to her activism than spontaneous protest participation.
The Broader Context
The Minneapolis incident occurred amid heightened tensions following the Good shooting, where Trump blamed the victim for “viciously running over” a federal officer. Rahman’s arrest adds another flashpoint to ongoing debates about ICE enforcement tactics and federal authority. Her background in police technology policy creates an ironic twist, given her expertise in the very surveillance systems used by law enforcement.
The incident highlights the organized nature of current immigration protests, with Rahman representing a new breed of professional activists who combine technical expertise with street-level organizing. Her multiple criminal convictions and strategic positioning during the ICE operation suggest this was likely a calculated act of civil disobedience rather than an accidental encounter with federal agents.
Sources:
Hindustan Times – Who is Aliya Rahman? Screaming woman yanked from car by ICE agents in Minneapolis
The Daily Star – Bangladeshi-origin woman pulled from car by ICE agents in Minneapolis
MPR News – ICE enforcement shooting in Minnesota latest Tuesday