WASHINGTON — The brothers of Renee Good, one of two U.S. citizens killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, urged Congress to address the violence tied to immigration operations, saying Tuesday that the events unfolding on city streets are “changing many lives, including ours, forever.”
Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed Jan. 7. Her death and that of another protester, Alex Pretti, weeks later have prompted nationwide outrage and renewed calls to rein in immigration enforcement.
Luke and Brett Ganger spoke at a hearing organized by congressional Democrats to highlight use-of-force incidents involving Department of Homeland Security officers who carry out immigration arrests and deportations. The forum, framed by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., had a somber tone as the brothers often comforted one another while listening to others.
Luke Ganger described the family’s “deep distress” over losing their sister “in such a violent and unnecessary way.” He did not lay out specific legislative demands but said her death should prompt changes in operations like those in Minneapolis. “The completely surreal scenes taking place on the streets of Minneapolis are beyond explanation,” he said. “This is not just a bad day, or a rough week, or isolated incidents.”
The Trump administration has said Good tried to run over an officer; state and local officials in Minneapolis and protesters have rejected that account. The brothers focused instead on remembering her life. Luke called her “a beautiful American we have lost” — a sister, daughter, mother, partner and friend. Brett shared part of the eulogy he delivered at her funeral, likening her to dandelions that bring unexpected beauty and saying she believed tomorrow could be better and that kindness mattered.
The panel also heard from three other U.S. citizens who described their treatment by Homeland Security officers.