Somali Woman from Viral 'Bananas and Rice' Video Arrested by Homeland Security
Nasra Ahmed may soon find out whether federal prisons serve bananas and rice.
According to a social media news release from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Ahmed — who went viral for a video in which she famously, if somewhat inscrutably, described the Somali-American experience as being like “bananas and rice” together — was arrested and is one of 16 Minneapolis rioters who have been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officials.
Ahmed went viral last week when she said, during a media briefing in the Minnesota State Capitol, that she had been “kidnapped by ICE.”
According to WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, Ahmed described being “in the area when she believes ICE were targeting two men she did not know, only for agents to shove her to the floor.”
“She said that one of them called her a racial slur before putting her into a vehicle, where she said she met another woman who was detained,” the report claimed.
“Ahmed spent the next two days detained, only to be released without any charges. The 23-year-old was born in the United States and WCCO found no evidence of a criminal record. Her story is one of many reported instances where ICE has detained an American citizen without charging them since Operation Metro Surge began in December.”
However, her appearance became an internet sensation due to her unusual description of her cultural identity.
It’s an interesting thing, it’s very hard to describe what it means to be Somali and what it means to be American, but it’s like a c cultural fusion,” she said “It’s kind of like the bananas and rice, you know?
“It’s a — you know, people don’t think, you can eat bananas with rice, but that’s what it’s like to be Somali and American.”
Her description of the Somali-American community in Minneapolis, which is the largest in America, went viral on social media:
“Being Somali is more than bananas & rice, it’s a lot, it’s uh.. it’s kind of like bananas & rice” pic.twitter.com/m5fphubcQr
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 23, 2026
“When life gives you bananas and rice, commit fraud” – Ancient Somali Wisdom Poetry pic.twitter.com/n7YNXqOAx8
— T.R. Hudson (@tr_hudson) January 24, 2026
Somali Nasra Ahmed: “Being Somali is more than just eating bananas & rice, it’s a lot, it’s interesting, it’s kind of like bananas & rice. You can eat bananas and rice.”
My word. Quality Learing Center level education on full display.
pic.twitter.com/lvnAkVAF0E— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 23, 2026
Somewhat less humorously, Ahmed now does have criminal charges against her — specifically, under 18 U.S. Code § 111, which can result in up to one year if it involves simple assault, or up to eight years of prison if it involves “the intent to commit another felony.”
These are the names of those arrested today under 18 U.S. Code § 111 (Assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees)
Christina Rank
Abdikadir Noor
Madeline Tschida
Nitzana Flores
Helicity Borowska
Quentin Williams
William Vermie
Paul Johnson
Gillian…— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 28, 2026
“I am on the ground in Minneapolis today. Federal agents have arrested 16 Minnesota rioters for allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement — people who have been resisting and impeding our federal law enforcement agents,” Bondi said. “We expect more arrests to come.”
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: NOTHING will stop President Trump and this Department of Justice from enforcing the law.”
Ahmed’s arrest photo, people noted, did not include a bandage or anything that would need covering, although it’s unclear when it was taken.
BREAKING: Nasra Ahmed (bananas & rice) just arrested in Minneapolis for assauIting federal officers pic.twitter.com/2nS7S4rjjq
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 28, 2026
However, in the court where Ahmed was charged, the judge said she was “deeply disturbed” that the suspect’s photograph had been shared on social media.
“This conduct is not something that the court condones,” said Judge Dulce J. Foster, according to a New York Times report.
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