ICE Deletes X Posts Defending Aliya Rahman's Arrest

Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed at least two posts from its official X account that previously defended its agents' violent arrest of Aliya Rahman.

Rahman, a Bangladeshi American software engineer with autism and physical disabilities, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government on Tuesday. The suit lists eight counts, including assault, false arrest, and negligence. She was on her way to a medical appointment on Jan. 13 when agents surrounded her vehicle, smashed the window, and dragged her out. Footage of the incident went viral, and she testified to Congress on Feb. 3. During her detention, Rahman alleges she suffered medical neglect and violence that required hospitalization.

The agency used social media to counter her claims in the months following the arrest. On Feb. 6, ICE posted that Rahman refused to move her car and "found out the hard way" she could not impede officers. On March 4, the agency accused Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) of spreading lies after Lofgren questioned then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a House Judiciary Committee hearing. Lofgren stated, "She wasn't protesting anything. She was on her way to a doctor's appointment." ICE responded by repeating that Rahman "continued to impede our officers."

The National Archives and Records Administration issued guidance in November 2022 stating that agencies must preserve official records, including social media posts, unless a disposition is provided by a NARA-approved records schedule. A DHS spokesperson declined to explain why or when the posts were deleted. They also did not clarify if other posts were removed or if the deletion was legal. The spokesperson provided the same statement issued on Tuesday regarding the lawsuit: "We are aware of the lawsuit and look forward to vigorously defending ourselves in court."

Rahman's legal team had requested for months that DHS and ICE retract false statements. Attorneys sent cease and desist messages to both agencies via mail and email on June 22 but received no reply. Jessica Gingold, a senior counsel at the MacArthur Justice Center and one of Rahman's attorneys, noted that the posts remained online for "many, many months." She added, "It's not like taking them down without also putting up 'we were wrong' is sufficient."

DHS has other X posts online that dismiss Rahman's claims. One post from the day of the arrest quotes then-White House Homeland Security advisor Stephen Miller, who told ICE officers they have immunity while working. Another post from two days later described Rahman as an "agitator" who ignored commands to move her car.

Gingold said the deletions raise questions about whether DHS officials are trying to avoid accountability as they face legal scrutiny. At least six federal lawsuits have been filed against the Trump administration this year regarding potentially illegal actions by immigration enforcement officers, including Rahman's case. Gingold stated, "The lawsuits are coming."