Minneapolis Woman Files Complaint Against DHS After Viral Arrest

Aliya Rahman's federal lawsuit alleges excessive force by immigration agents during a traffic stop.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:52am

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A cinematic painting of a solitary car parked on a city street, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a sense of vulnerability and tension.A viral video of a federal immigration enforcement encounter has sparked outrage and a legal challenge over the use of excessive force against a Minneapolis resident.Minneapolis Today

Aliya Rahman, a Minneapolis resident, has filed a formal complaint against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is preparing to file a federal lawsuit. This comes after a viral video showed Rahman being forcibly removed from her car by federal immigration enforcement agents while on her way to a doctor's appointment.

Why it matters

The incident has sparked outrage over the use of excessive force by immigration authorities and raised concerns about civil liberties and the treatment of immigrant communities. Rahman's legal action could set a precedent for how such encounters between federal agents and civilians are handled.

The details

According to the complaint, Rahman was pulled over by DHS agents in Minneapolis while driving to a medical appointment. The agents then proceeded to physically drag her out of the vehicle, despite Rahman's cooperation and lack of any criminal record or outstanding warrants. The viral video of the incident has drawn widespread criticism of the agents' actions.

  • The incident occurred on April 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • Rahman filed the formal complaint against DHS on April 16, 2026.

The players

Aliya Rahman

A Minneapolis resident who was the subject of a viral video showing federal immigration agents forcibly removing her from her car during a traffic stop.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, whose agents were involved in the incident with Aliya Rahman.

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What they’re saying

“I was simply trying to get to my doctor's appointment when these agents accosted me without cause. Their use of force was completely unwarranted and violated my civil rights.”

— Aliya Rahman

“The Department of Homeland Security takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and will fully investigate this incident. We are committed to upholding the civil liberties of all individuals.”

— DHS Spokesperson

What’s next

Rahman plans to file a federal lawsuit against DHS in the coming weeks, seeking damages and policy changes to prevent similar incidents of alleged excessive force by immigration agents.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing tensions between immigrant communities and federal immigration enforcement, as well as the need for greater accountability and oversight of how DHS agents interact with civilians during routine encounters.