11:44 pm - February 4, 2026
The brothers of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen killed during federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, appeared before Congress on Tuesday to address the escalating violence on American streets linked to immigration operations. Luke and Brett Ganger testified at a congressional hearing organized by Democratic lawmakers, urging action to prevent further tragedies stemming from immigration enforcement activities. Their emotional testimony comes weeks after their 37-year-old sister, a mother of three, was shot and killed by federal immigration officers on January 7.
The hearing, convened by Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Representative Robert Garcia of California, focused on use-of-force incidents involving Department of Homeland Security officers carrying out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda. Good’s death, along with the subsequent killing of another protester, Alex Pretti, has sparked national outrage and intensified calls to reform immigration enforcement practices.
Brothers Warn Immigration Operations Are Changing Lives Forever
Luke Ganger described the “deep distress” his family experienced after losing their sister in what he characterized as “such a violent and unnecessary way.” While he did not specify exact legislative remedies, Ganger framed his sister’s death as a critical turning point that should inspire change in federal immigration operations. He emphasized that the incidents unfolding in Minneapolis represent more than isolated events.
“The completely surreal scenes taking place on the streets of Minneapolis are beyond explanation. This is not just a bad day, or a rough week, or isolated incidents,” Ganger said, according to testimony provided at the hearing. “These encounters with federal agents are changing the community and changing many lives, including ours, forever.”
Administration’s Account Disputed by Local Officials
The Trump administration has maintained that Good attempted to run over an officer with her vehicle, justifying the use of deadly force. However, state and local officials in Minneapolis, along with protesters who witnessed the incident, have rejected that characterization of events. The conflicting accounts have fueled tensions between federal authorities and community members in Minneapolis.
Additionally, the dispute highlights broader concerns about accountability and transparency in immigration enforcement operations. The brothers chose not to address the administration’s specific claims during their testimony, instead focusing on celebrating their sister’s life and character.
Remembering Renee Good Beyond the Headlines
Rather than dwelling on the circumstances of her death, Luke and Brett Ganger shared personal memories that painted a portrait of their sister as a compassionate American. Luke Ganger told the panel that the most important thing they could do was explain “what a beautiful American we have lost. A sister. A daughter. A mother. A partner and a friend.”
Brett Ganger shared excerpts from the eulogy he wrote for his sister’s funeral service, comparing her to dandelions that bring unexpected beauty wherever they grow. “She believed tomorrow could be better than today. She believed that kindness mattered. And she lived that belief,” he said, according to his testimony.
Broader Pattern of Use-of-Force Concerns
The congressional forum also featured testimony from three other U.S. citizens who detailed their treatment by Homeland Security officers during immigration enforcement operations. Their accounts contributed to a growing body of evidence suggesting systematic issues with use-of-force protocols among federal immigration agents. Meanwhile, the hearing underscored Democratic lawmakers’ concerns about the human cost of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.
The mood during Tuesday’s hearing remained somber throughout, with the brothers often comforting each other as they spoke and listened to other witnesses. The emotional testimony highlighted the personal toll that immigration operations have taken on American families caught in the crossfire of enforcement activities.
Congress has not announced specific legislative proposals following the hearing, though lawmakers are expected to continue examining use-of-force policies within the Department of Homeland Security. The timeline for potential reforms remains uncertain as political divisions over immigration enforcement persist in Washington.
