WASHINGTON (AP) — The tragic killing of Minnesota woman Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer has ignited a fierce response on Capitol Hill. Democrats and some Republicans are demanding action as protests against President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation policies swell across the nation.
Lawmakers are urging a comprehensive investigation into Good's death and calling for significant policy changes regarding law enforcement raids. Some Democratic leaders even suggest defunding ICE and impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, indicating that this incident could mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing immigration debate.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed his outrage, describing the shooting as a “complete and total disgrace,” asserting that House Democrats would discuss a robust response in the coming days. However, there is a noticeable division among political parties regarding the handling of Good's case, who was shot while driving her SUV after dropping off her 6-year-old daughter at school.
Immediately following the incident, narratives diverged. Trump and Noem claimed the ICE officer acted in self-defense, while Democratic officials accused the administration of dishonesty and encouraged the public to view disturbing viral videos of the shooting. Vice President JD Vance attributed the situation to Good's actions, labeling it “a tragedy of her own making,” suggesting that the officer may have been on edge due to a previous injury incurred in a separate altercation.
Good's death, the fifth known fatality since the administration ramped up its deportation efforts, may shift the political landscape. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski stated that the videos of the incident were “deeply disturbing,” and emphasized the necessity for a thorough and impartial investigation to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The backdrop for this backlash involves ongoing debates in Congress over funding the Department of Homeland Security as part of the annual appropriations process. Demonstrations against ICE following Good’s death have prompted Democratic lawmakers to assert their intent to leverage their legislative power to reform the agency's conduct.
Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida emphasized the need for accountability not only for the officer involved but for ICE as a whole and the administration. Congressional Democrats view Good's death as indicative of a broader urgent need to clamp down on the administration's enforcement strategies.
Several Democrats are calling for Noem's impeachment, albeit this is seen as an unlikely outcome given the Republican majority in Congress. Others propose reducing funding for her department, which has received significant financial boosts from recent tax and spending legislation passed by Republicans.
Senator Chris Murphy, leading the Democrats on the pertinent subcommittee, plans to introduce legislation aimed at tightening the agency's regulations, including limiting Border Patrol activities to border areas and ensuring that DHS agents are identifiable. Representative Delia Ramirez remarked on the urgent need for action, labeling Noem as “dangerous” and calling for her impeachment.
Immigration issues have long been a contentious divide in Congress, with Democrats varying in their perspectives on immigration policy. Republicans, on the other hand, have used Trump's hard-line approach to frame Democrats as radicals. The administration's operations in Minnesota were reportedly a direct response to an investigation involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, which was implicated in significant COVID-19-related fraud.
With the November midterm elections approaching, which Democrats believe will be influenced by affordability and health care concerns, the national uproar over ICE conduct is pressing lawmakers to respond. Representative Vicente Gonzalez voiced a critical view of the administration's approach, highlighting the inhumane treatment of individuals involved in the immigration system.
Recent incidents involving ICE shootings have further stirred congressional concern. In one instance, a federal immigration agent shot Silverio Villegas Gonzalez in Chicago following an altercation shortly after he had dropped off his children at school. In another, a Customs and Border Protection agent shot Marimar Martinez, a U.S. citizen, during a confrontation, with charges later dismissed by a federal judge.
For Representative Chuy Garcia of Illinois, Good's death is reminiscent of those earlier shootings, raising alarm about ongoing law enforcement practices that appear increasingly unregulated. He noted that the public may finally be awakening to the reality of excessive force used in immigration enforcement, potential biases against certain populations, and the urgency of reevaluating these tactics.
While Republicans acknowledged the shooting's gravity, they largely maintained support for ICE policies, reiterating a narrative that places blame on Good for her actions during the incident. Representative Rich McCormick stated that “nobody wants to see people get shot,” but emphasized personal responsibility in the situation. He contended that mistakes can occur during such high-stakes confrontations.
