1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent deeply unsettled by the recent death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis during a federal enforcement operation. Media accounts and bystander video footage raise serious doubt regarding the necessity and proportionality of the use of deadly force in this encounter. ICE agents absolutely cannot be judge, jury, and executioner. The official narrative offered by the Department of Homeland Security — that the agent acted in self-defense — has been strongly challenged by local leaders, civil rights advocates, and eyewitness accounts, including video showing the incident clearly does not justify lethal force under accepted standards for policing. This tragedy has rapidly become a national concern, not only because of the loss of life, but because it highlights broader issues with ICE’s protocols, federal accountability, and the lack of meaningful civilian oversight of immigration enforcement operations. In cities across the country, civic leaders have called for independent investigations, transparency in federal operation tactics, and a reevaluation of how force is used in these contexts. I believe that: There must be a fully independent, transparent investigation into this incident, inclusive of public evidence review and community involvement. Federal agencies must be held to the same standards of use of force as local law enforcement, with clear criteria that prohibit deadly force except in the most narrowly defined and unavoidable situations. Members of ICE and DHS involved in use-of-force incidents must be accountable under the law, and there should be mechanisms to pursue prosecution where evidence shows unreasonable actions. Broader reform or reconsideration of ICE’s role, charter, training, and community impact is urgently needed so that all residents — citizens and non-citizens alike — are protected from abuses of power. NO ONE should fear death at the hands of law enforcement, whose actions are shielded by federal immunity and opaque reporting structures. My hope is for policies that actually protect people and respect fundamental human rights, rather than escalate fear and harm in America’s communities. I appreciate your attention to this matter. I urge you to support measures that ensure accountability, protect civil liberties, and address the unacceptable use of force in immigration enforcement - and whether immigration enforcement is morally aligned with American values at all.