Unjust Detention: A U.S. Citizen’s Harrowing Experience with Immigration Agents
Nasra Ahmed, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen born in Minnesota, recently endured a traumatic experience at the hands of immigration agents. Despite having no documented criminal history, Ahmed was taken into custody and spent two days in detention. The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the growing federal presence in the Twin Cities.
According to Ahmed, she was forcibly detained by ICE agents in the parking lot of her apartment complex while trying to pick up her prescription medication. The agents, who were chasing two Somali-American men, demanded to see her identification, and she complied. However, the situation quickly escalated, with an agent allegedly using a racial slur and another stating that they were “making America great again.” Ahmed was pinned to the ground, suffered bruises, and was taken into custody.
A Growing Pattern of Aggression
The incident is part of a larger trend of increased immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities, with over 2,000 ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents deployed in the area. The Trump administration has also threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a little-used law that would allow the deployment of federal troops to the state. This growing federal presence has left many in the community feeling targeted and terrorized, particularly communities of color.
Ahmed’s experience is a stark example of the aggressive tactics being used by immigration agents. She was driven to the Whipple Federal Building, where she was held in a detention cell with a Native American woman who had been forcibly removed from her car. Ahmed was later transferred to the Sherburne County jail, where she was listed as being held pending federal felony charges, despite having no prior record.
A Call for Accountability
Ahmed’s story highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in immigration enforcement. The use of excessive force, racial slurs, and unnecessary detention is unacceptable and erodes trust in law enforcement. As Ahmed’s father, Mohamed Ahmed, stated, “What is going on is not right… They’re not going after the ‘worst of the worst.’ They’re terrorizing the community.”
The incident has also sparked outrage among local officials, with state Rep. Samakab Hussein working closely with Ahmed’s family to secure her release. Ahmed’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their background or immigration status.
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Nasra Ahmed, 23, photographed outside a relative’s apartment near Lower Afton Road in St. Paul on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, where she was forcibly detained by federal immigration agents on Wednesday, suffering cuts and bruises to her face and legs. She spent two days at the Sherburne County Jail before being released without charges on Friday night. She is a U.S. citizen, born in Minnesota, with no documented criminal history. (Frederick Melo / Pioneer Press)
Image Source: www.twincities.com
