U.S. Citizens Describe Surviving Violent Attacks by Immigration Agents

Luke Ganganger, Renee Good's brother, testified that despite his sister's violent and unnecessary death, it has not brought about the anticipated change in the country. He described the scenes in Minneapolis involving federal agents as 'beyond explanation,' impacting communities and lives permanently.

Luke Ganganger's testimony: 'In the last few weeks, our family took some consolation, thinking that perhaps Nay's death would bring about change in our country, and it has not. The completely surreal scenes taking place on the streets of Minneapolis are beyond explanation.'

Mariam Martinez, a U.S. citizen, was shot seven times by Border Patrol agent Charles Exum in Chicago after she honked and shouted 'La Migra' to warn neighbors. After being treated for her wounds, agents rushed her treatment and took her to a federal detention center, where she was labeled a 'domestic terrorist' on the news, despite never having a parking ticket. The charges against her were later dropped.

Mariam Martinez's testimony: 'I had seven bullet holes in my body. I remember the agents rushing the nurses to finish up so they could take me with them. The agents took me from the second hospital to the federal detention center in downtown Chicago. I had never even had a parking ticket before. And now I was stating in federal detention center just for being the victim in a minor traffic accident.'

Daniel Rascon, his father-in-law, and brother-in-law were boxed in by two unmarked trucks. Four men in masks, sunglasses, and baseball caps, with guns drawn, pounded on their car, broke windows, and punched Rascon's father-in-law. As they drove away, one agent fired multiple shots at their car. Two weeks later, Rascon's home was raided, and his father-in-law was arrested and charged with assaulting an officer, charges later dropped by a federal judge who believed he feared for his life.

Daniel Rascon's testimony: 'four men in face mask, sunglasses, and baseball caps, and guns drawn pointing straight at us walking towards our car... one of the men broke the driver's side window, punched Francisco in the face... when we were instead met with gunfire.'

Aliyia Rahman, a disabled Bangladeshi American with autism and a traumatic brain injury, was violently dragged from her car by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis while on her way to a medical appointment. Agents broke her window, yelled conflicting instructions, and used a combat knife to cut her seatbelt. She was carried face down by her cuffed arms and legs, sustaining head, neck, and wrist injuries, and was never asked for ID, told she was under arrest, read her rights, or charged with a crime.

Aliyia Rahman's testimony: 'Then the glass of the passenger side window flew across my face. I yelled, 'I'm disabled.' at the hands grabbing at me. And an agent said, 'Too late.'... Shooting pain went through my head, neck, and wrists when I hit the ground face first... I was carried face down through the street by my cuffed arms and legs while yelling that I had a brain injury and was disabled.'