The Fatal Shooting of a US Citizen by an ICE Officer in Minneapolis Could Spark Controversy
The shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old US citizen, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis on Wednesday may become a pivotal moment in President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts in American cities. Good was shot while seated in the driver’s seat of her car, according to reports.
The Department of Homeland Security described her as a “rioter” who was obstructing and attempting to use her vehicle against officers enforcing immigration laws.
Three videos captured of the scene and reviewed by CNN reveal additional context. Good’s death has stirred anger among state and local officials, who expressed concerns about the federal resources deployed in the Twin Cities since December.
Reactions from Officials
At a press conference following the shooting, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated he had been “warning for weeks” that ICE operations in his state posed a “threat to public safety.”
“Get the f**k out,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told ICE during the same event, emphasizing his city’s frustration with the escalation.
Background of the Incident
The immigration-enforcement operation in Minneapolis was partly triggered by a viral video from a conservative content creator, who alleged fraud in day care centers across the city. This occurred amid Trump’s ongoing criticism of Somali Americans, whom he labeled “garbage” in xenophobic rhetoric.
Minneapolis, home to the largest Somali diaspora in the United States, has become a focal point for such enforcement efforts. The Department of Homeland Security, which manages ICE, deployed up to 2,000 officers by January as part of “Operation Metro Surge,” calling it the “largest DHS operation ever.” The agency claimed the surge led to hundreds of immigrant arrests.
Expansion of Federal Operations
The Minneapolis surge followed similar operations in other major cities, primarily led by Democrats, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, and Washington, DC.
Use of Force and Detentions
While DHS asserts it targets the “worst of the worst” with violent convictions or criminal records, CNN previously reported that the agency has detained American citizens and individuals without criminal histories, often employing force during protests.
“We’re not leaving until the problem is solved,” the agency stated in a social media post before the shooting.
Aftermath and Next Steps
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed the situation at a news conference on Friday, saying she is “not opposed to sending more” immigration authorities to Minneapolis after the incident. At least three videos documented Good’s shooting or its immediate aftermath, showing her car parked perpendicular in the middle of the street as unmarked law enforcement vehicles approached.
