Disabled Woman Alleges Targeting by Trump's ICE at State of the Union

Aliya Rahman claims she was aggressively removed from the address despite remaining silent during the speech.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 12:19am

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Aliya Rahman, a disabled woman with autism from Minneapolis, was severely injured by President Donald Trump's immigration forces when she was escorted out of the State of the Union address in January. Rahman claims she was targeted for removal despite remaining silent during the speech, and wonders if it was because she has spoken out against the Trump administration's treatment of civilians in Minneapolis.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about the treatment of disabled and marginalized individuals by federal immigration authorities, as well as the potential for political targeting of citizens who speak out against the administration's policies.

The details

Rahman attended the State of the Union address as a guest of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who said Rahman was "aggressively handled" during her removal. Rahman was later charged with "unlawful conduct" for allegedly standing in silent protest, a claim she denies. Rahman believes she may have been targeted for removal because of her previous testimony about the harsh conditions inside an immigration facility in Minneapolis.

  • Rahman attended the State of the Union address on January 20, 2026.
  • Rahman spoke out against the Trump administration's treatment of civilians in Minneapolis during a hearing in early February 2026.

The players

Aliya Rahman

A disabled woman with autism from Minneapolis who was severely injured by President Donald Trump's immigration forces when she was escorted out of the State of the Union address in January 2026.

Rep. Ilhan Omar

A Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 5th congressional district, who invited Rahman to attend the State of the Union address as her guest.

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What they’re saying

“I think you do have to ask that question, right? I can be kind of a cold, logical, autistic person sometimes, and what I am seeing is that the people to either side of me are standing up and not just standing up, but they're making noise. I was actually quiet. So if the issue is disruption, I'm not aware that anybody on the floor even knew I was standing up.”

— Aliya Rahman (CNN)

“The only thing I'm known for is giving testimony about what I saw inside the Whipple Center.”

— Aliya Rahman (CNN)

What’s next

Rahman's case is expected to be reviewed by the courts, with a focus on whether her removal from the State of the Union address was justified or constituted a violation of her rights.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing concerns about the treatment of marginalized and disabled individuals by federal immigration authorities, as well as the potential for political targeting of those who speak out against the administration's policies.