The family of Renee Good has taken legal action against the U.S. government and several immigration officials after her death. Renee, aged 37, was killed by a federal agent during an immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota last January. The incident has led her family to file two civil lawsuits, challenging federal actions surrounding her death.
Civil Lawsuits Filed
The first lawsuit targets the U.S. government directly. It claims that the officer involved, Jonathan Ross of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, violated internal policies and the Fourth Amendment by using excessive force. The family seeks damages for Renee’s suffering and the emotional trauma experienced by her partner, Becca Good, who witnessed the event.
Ross fired multiple shots at Renee as she sat in her car. Federal officials initially claimed Renee attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon, but video evidence disputes this narrative.
Allegations of Conspiracy
The second lawsuit presents a rarer legal angle. It accuses federal officials of conspiring to violate the civil rights of Minnesota residents. The suit argues that such actions were an “intended result” of the immigration crackdown in the state. Lawyers Romanucci & Blandin invoke the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, historically used against racial terror.
Law professor Rachel Moran noted to NPR that this lawsuit’s approach flips common legal tactics, asserting that officials themselves engaged in a conspiracy. Attorney Ben Berkman, representing the family, emphasized the second suit’s focus on placing blame not only on the shooter but on every official responsible for the enforcement presence that day.
Officials Named in Lawsuit
The litigation names several high-profile figures, including former White House adviser Stephen Miller and ex-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis announced the administration’s intent to “vigorously defend” these lawsuits. Other individuals are listed as John Does due to their masked presence at the scene.
The lawsuits underscore an absence of criminal charges at both federal and local levels. DHS has yet to publicly acknowledge investigations into Good’s death or other similar incidents in Minneapolis.
Family Demands Accountability
During a press conference, Good’s family expressed frustration over governmental inaction. Brent Ganger, Renee’s brother, highlighted their demand for accountability from ICE and related agencies. “We will not wait any longer,” he declared.
Good’s partner, Becca, shared personal remarks, mourning both Renee’s loss and the absence felt by their children, including their youngest son, 6, who started school in August.