Reps. McDonald Rivet, Lee Lead Battleground Democrats in Demanding ICE Accountability

WASHINGTON— Congresswomen Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) and Susie Lee (NV-03) led 25 battleground House Democrats in demanding an impartial and transparent investigation into the killing of Renée Nicole Good and that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) make improvements to ICE operations essential to public safety.

Since the killing of Ms. Good by an ICE agent on January 7, federal authorities have excluded the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from the investigation. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also instead prioritized investigating Ms. Good’s spouse, which has caused at least six federal prosecutors to resign from their positions. These actions raise concerns that Ms. Good’s killing is not being investigated properly and highlight broader issues related to inadequate oversight of and accountability for ICE, as well as a lack of communication and transparency with the public. 

In their letter, battleground House Members demand a thorough and impartial investigation into Ms. Good’s death. The letter reads, “When the government’s duty to protect life and uphold the rule of law is in question, we must have rigorous oversight to understand what went wrong, ensure accountability, and prevent future tragedies, making an immediate, unbiased investigation essential. Reports that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was excluded from the investigation – leaving the matter solely to the FBI – raise concerns about impartiality and transparency.”

The legislators then exercise their oversight responsibilities over the Department, demanding answers to six basic questions about DHS use of taxpayer dollars, ICE recruitment and training, and the practices of ICE agents in the field. The letter reads, “This incident has also heightened broader concerns from our constituents about how the Department of Homeland Security deploys its resources and oversees ICE operations nationwide… Communities across the country are reporting fear, disruption, and confusion resulting from ICE operations conducted with limited communication and unclear accountability. These concerns are compounded by persistent questions about training standards, oversight mechanisms, and whether ICE operations are being conducted in a manner that prioritizes de-escalation, public safety, and respect for constitutional rights.”

A copy of the letter can be found here.