Woman Injured by ICE Thrown Out of State of the Union

Aliya Rahman, who was brutally injured by ICE agents, was removed from the State of the Union address after President Trump made unsubstantiated claims about fraud in the Somali-American community.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 8:25pm

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Aliya Rahman, a Somali-American woman who was seriously injured by ICE agents during a traffic stop in Minneapolis last month, was invited to attend the State of the Union address but was forcibly removed from the gallery after President Trump made unverified claims about fraud in the Somali-American community costing taxpayers $19 billion. Rahman had previously testified before Congress about being threatened by ICE agents.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies and the civil liberties of immigrant communities. Rahman's removal from the State of the Union after being invited as a guest raises concerns about the administration's treatment of critics and those impacted by its policies.

The details

During his State of the Union address, President Trump claimed that the Somali-American community in Minnesota has taken about $19 billion from taxpayers through fraud schemes, although he provided no evidence to support this figure. Shortly after these remarks, Aliya Rahman, who was seated in the gallery, was forcibly removed by security. Rahman had been invited to attend the speech after she was seriously injured during a traffic stop by ICE agents in Minneapolis in January. Earlier this month, Rahman had also testified before a House panel about being threatened by the ICE agents involved in her arrest.

  • In January 2026, Aliya Rahman was forcefully removed from her car during a traffic stop conducted by ICE agents in Minneapolis, causing her serious injuries.
  • Earlier in February 2026, Rahman testified before a House panel about being threatened by the ICE agents involved in her arrest.
  • On February 25, 2026, Rahman was invited to attend the State of the Union address but was removed from the gallery after President Trump made unsubstantiated claims about fraud in the Somali-American community.

The players

Aliya Rahman

A Somali-American woman who was seriously injured by ICE agents during a traffic stop in Minneapolis and later invited to attend the State of the Union address, where she was forcibly removed.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who made unverified claims about fraud in the Somali-American community during his State of the Union address, shortly before Rahman was removed from the gallery.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies and the civil liberties of immigrant communities, raising concerns about the treatment of critics and those impacted by these policies.