ICE Incident in Minneapolis Involves Respected Activist
A woman, who was caught on camera being forcibly removed from a car by ICE agents in Minneapolis, has been recognized as Aliya Rahman, a notable technology expert and advocate for LGBT and racial justice. She describes herself as a “negative asset in a friendly neighborhood.”
Rahman, a 43-year-old software engineer with significant coding experience, is an advocate for police body camera policy. Interestingly, she has been involved with various advocacy groups, including having spent over a decade with the Black Lives Matter movement.
The incident that brought her into the spotlight occurred on Tuesday when a video showed federal agents breaking the car window and pulling her out after she seemingly interfered with an ICE vehicle during a protest. Just days earlier, there was a tragic shooting involving Renee Nicole Good nearby.
In footage from the event, the driver of Rahman’s vehicle can be heard shouting about being disabled and stating they were “just trying to get to the doctor” while masked agents handcuffed Rahman amid the turmoil.
About Aliya Rahman
Rahman identifies as a “community-focused security professional” based in Minneapolis, according to her LinkedIn profile. She has held various roles across the tech industry, including full-stack developer and engineering manager.
It’s unclear how long she’s lived in Minneapolis, as her last known address was in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Interestingly, on X, she describes herself as “an undeniable asset to a friendly neighborhood.”
Previously, Rahman was a fellow at New America’s Open Technology Institute, where she worked on policies regarding police body cameras. A self-introduction on the institute’s website highlights her extensive experience in legislative, electoral, and community organizing for racial and criminal justice campaigns.
Her Activism Journey
Originally an American citizen, Rahman’s family moved to the newly formed Bangladesh in 1971 after its liberation war against Pakistan. She reflects on her youth, recalling the “revolutionary energy” surrounding her. “I could see the country coming together. I grew up watching garment workers, almost all women, protesting in the streets,” she has stated.
Recognizing her identity at a young age, she later identified as “genderqueer” in a societal context where such identities faced severe repercussions. Struggling with her identity led her to leave Bangladesh for college in the U.S. The aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, which personally affected her family, further catalyzed her interest in social movements and racial dynamics in the U.S., particularly how marginalized groups interacted.
Since college, Rahman has held various part-time and volunteer roles within LGBT and racial justice organizations, bouncing between nonprofits like the Center for Community Change and Equality Ohio. Her support extends to the Black Lives Matter movement and pro-Palestinian initiatives as well.
Rahman currently leads technology initiatives at Wellstone, a Minnesota nonprofit that trains community activists and political leaders across the progressive spectrum. She takes pride in shifting the organization’s image to reflect a more inclusive and diverse membership.
Academic Credentials
Rahman holds a Master of Science degree from Purdue University. She is also a certified cybersecurity professional with a CISSP designation.
Before fully dedicating herself to advocacy, she taught at a public high school on a Native American reservation in Arizona, aligning with her passion for social justice.
The Recent ICE Encounter
The details of her recent encounter with ICE came to light when federal agents accused her of obstructing an immigration enforcement operation. Video footage showed agents trying to clear protesters as they demanded Rahman’s release.
At one point, an agent broke the passenger side window to remove her. Protesters shouted various pleas, expressing anger and confusion as Rahman was forcibly taken away in handcuffs.
As of now, it’s unclear whether any charges were formally filed against her following the incident. Public records indicate that she has faced several minor legal issues over the last decade, including a guilty plea for trespassing and DUI in a prior incident in Ohio. Attempts to reach Rahman for comment did not succeed.
