The family of a Minnesota woman shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent has initiated a civil rights lawsuit. This lawsuit, citing a law originally intended to combat Ku Klux Klan violence, accuses senior officials of the Trump administration of conspiring in actions that led to her death.
The 149-page lawsuit, filed in a federal court, names several officials. Among them are former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and Border Czar Tom Homan. It alleges that they, along with other leaders, used “Operation Metro Surge” to target Somali and Hispanic communities, aiming to intimidate those opposing federal immigration enforcement.
According to the plaintiffs, Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, was killed while attempting to drive away from ICE agents. She had reportedly been warning neighbors about the operation in Minneapolis.
“I stand here with fierce determination to do what is right for my sister, her children, and for our country,” said Brent Ganger, Renee Good’s brother, in a press release. “What happened to her is not what America is about. We must do better.”
The Trump administration defended the actions of the federal agent, claiming Good used her vehicle as a weapon and struck the agent before he fired.
Legal Basis: The KKK Act of 1871
The lawsuit leverages the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, a federal law created to fight against organized violence and intimidation. This law allows for legal actions against conspiracies that deny people equal protection under the law. The plaintiffs argue that actions by masked federal agents fit this description.
In their claim, the plaintiffs state that discriminatory enforcement and Good’s death were part of an intimidation effort against specific communities. “Congress enacted this law to address acts of masked individuals riding public roads to strip a group of equal protection,” the complaint claimed.
Events Leading to the Lawsuit
The lawsuit details the events of January 7. Good, a 37-year-old mother, had returned from dropping off her son at school when she encountered federal agents in her neighborhood. She stopped her car and sounded her horn to alert neighbors.
Her partner began filming while Good stayed in the driver’s seat. The federal agents reportedly surrounded her vehicle despite her not being the target of their operation.
An ICE agent, identified as Jonathan Ross, supposedly exited his vehicle to film Good. She reportedly spoke to Ross, indicating she was not upset. As more agents arrived, they allegedly ordered her to exit her vehicle. The complaint states Good attempted to move forward, at which point Ross allegedly fired at her vehicle, resulting in fatal injuries.
Good’s car crashed, and no federal agent reportedly provided medical aid, even denying a doctor’s attempt to assist. The lawsuit includes testimony from Good’s partner, Becca Good, who was present and has subsequently suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Why Officials Are Named in the Lawsuit
The lawsuit isn’t limited to Jonathan Ross, the agent directly involved in the shooting. It lists several Trump administration officials as defendants. These include Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, and Tom Homan.
The complaint alleges that Miller, a significant figure in Trump’s immigration strategy, directed operations targeting Somali communities. He is accused of collaborating with Noem and ICE officials to provoke confrontations with observers.
Noem is criticized for enabling policies that allowed agents to obscure their identities and conduct public displays of enforcement. The lawsuit further alleges that social media influencers were embedded among enforcement teams to document operations.
Tom Homan, tied to the extensive operations in 2025, faces accusations related to his public role in managing citywide enforcement strategies. The actions led to tensions culminating in events like Good’s death.
This story is developing. Updates will follow.