Minneapolis Police Chief Condemns ICE’s Forceful Arrest of U.S. Citizen
ICE arrests, Minneapolis police, Aliya Rahman, and Operation Metro Surge are key topics driving national conversation following a disturbing incident captured on video.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara has publicly expressed outrage after viewing footage of Aliya Rahman, a U.S. citizen, being forcibly removed from her vehicle by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The incident, highlighted by 60 Minutes, raises serious questions about the agency’s tactics and the treatment of individuals with disabilities.
Rahman, who identifies as disabled, was en route to a scheduled appointment at a traumatic brain injury clinic in Minneapolis when she encountered ICE officers obstructing traffic. According to her legal counsel, she was overwhelmed by what they described as conflicting instructions from the agents. The situation escalated when officers cut her seatbelt and physically extracted her from the car.
“Obviously, I don’t know why law enforcement officers initially approached the vehicle,” O’Hara stated, visibly angered by the video. “It pisses me off to see that, to see men doing that to a woman who’s disabled. It pisses me off. If those cops worked for me, they’d have a problem right now.”
The forceful nature of the arrest has sparked widespread concern and prompted scrutiny of ICE’s practices, particularly within the context of “Operation Metro Surge,” a nationwide initiative overseeing arrests and deportations, including those in Minneapolis.
Marcos Charles, an ICE official overseeing these operations, defended the agency’s actions, asserting that agents issued repeated warnings prior to the intervention. However, the Department of Homeland Security subsequently accused Rahman of obstructing ICE, leading to her arrest. Notably, she was never formally charged with any crime.
The incident underscores a growing debate surrounding the scope of ICE’s authority and the potential for overreach, especially concerning U.S. citizens. The lack of charges filed against Rahman further fuels questions about the justification for her arrest and the agency’s adherence to due process.
This case is likely to intensify calls for greater transparency and accountability within ICE, as well as a reevaluation of its operational procedures. The Minneapolis Police Chief’s strong condemnation signals a potential shift in local law enforcement’s relationship with the federal agency, and a commitment to protecting the rights of all residents, regardless of immigration status.
