ACLU sought to curb ICE crowd‑control tactics weeks before fatal Renee Good shooting; hearing canceled day of killing
Three weeks before Renee Good was fatally shot, the ACLU sued ICE and DHS alleging constitutional violations and asked a federal judge to bar Minnesota ICE agents from using crowd‑control weapons such as chemical irritants and flash‑bangs; a scheduled hearing in ACLU v. DHS/ICE was canceled without explanation hours after the killing. The ACLU cited a Chicago finding that ICE lacks regular crowd‑control training and pointed to Minnesota video it says shows excessive force, while ACLU‑MN warned the response to protests has grown more violent and the White House blamed Democrats for creating heightened, dangerous circumstances.
📌 Key Facts
- The ACLU filed a lawsuit seeking limits on ICE crowd‑control tactics three weeks before the fatal shooting of Renee Good, connecting the case timeline to a recent surge in enforcement.
- A scheduled federal hearing in the ACLU v. DHS/ICE case was canceled without explanation on the day Good was killed — reportedly just hours after an ICE agent shot her in her car.
- The ACLU asks a judge to bar ICE and other federal agents in Minnesota from using crowd‑control weapons such as chemical irritants and flash‑bang grenades against protesters and observers.
- The ACLU cites a Chicago federal judge’s finding that ICE officers do not receive regular crowd‑control training and points to a Minnesota video exhibit where DHS says a man threw rocks while the ACLU alleges excessive force by agents.
- ACLU‑Minnesota legal director Teresa Nelson said the balance has “been tipping toward really unprecedented violence” against people engaged in First Amendment‑protected activity.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded by blaming Democrats for “impeding immigration enforcement operations daily” and creating “extremely heightened and dangerous circumstances.”
📊 Relevant Data
Somali Minnesotans generate at least $500 million in income annually and pay about $67 million in state and local taxes, contributing positively to Minnesota's economy despite high poverty rates.
Somali Minnesotans generate at least $500 million in income annually and pay about $67 million in state and local taxes. — KSTP-TV (via Facebook)
Immigrants, including Somalis, contribute $26 billion to Minnesota's economy, helping to make it healthy and affordable.
Economist: Immigrants contribute $26 billion to Minnesota's economy — MPR News
ICE operations in Minnesota have sparked fear and anxiety in the Somali community, with most being US citizens, leading to community hubs falling silent and incidents of people being pulled from cars and businesses.
As ICE raids target Minnesota Somalis, community hubs fall silent — Sahan Journal
Somali community members in Minnesota report harassment, threats, and bullying on social media amid fraud allegations and increased ICE activity.
Minneapolis' Somali community say they face harassment, threats in wake of fraud allegations — CNN
The Somali community in Minnesota faces economic disruptions from ICE crackdowns, including impacts on the tech sector and local businesses.
ICE Targets Somali Immigrants in Minneapolis — Alkebulan Journal
Somali resettlement in Minnesota began in the 1990s as refugees fled civil war in Somalia, facilitated by US refugee programs and voluntary agencies like Lutheran Social Services and Catholic Charities, with Minnesota's strong social services and job opportunities attracting secondary migration.
How Minnesota became the center of the Somali diaspora — Sahan Journal
About 58% of Somalis in Minnesota were born in the US, and of foreign-born, 87% are naturalized citizens, indicating significant integration.
5 things to know about the Somali community in Minnesota after Trump's attacks — PBS NewsHour
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Clarifies that the ACLU filed its lawsuit three weeks before the fatal shooting of Renee Good, directly linking the case timeline to the current enforcement surge.
- Reports that a scheduled federal court hearing in the ACLU v. DHS/ICE case was canceled without explanation just hours after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good in her car.
- Details that the ACLU is asking the judge to specifically restrict ICE and other federal agents in Minnesota from using crowd‑control weapons such as chemical irritants and flash‑bang grenades against protesters and observers.
- Quotes ACLU-MN legal director Teresa Nelson saying the balance has "been tipping toward really unprecedented violence" against people engaged in First Amendment‑protected activity.
- Notes a Chicago federal judge’s finding, cited by the ACLU, that ICE officers do not receive regular crowd‑control training, and describes a Minnesota video exhibit where DHS claims a man threw rocks while ACLU alleges excessive force.
- Includes the White House / Trump administration response via Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blaming Democrats for 'impeding immigration enforcement operations daily' and creating 'extremely heightened and dangerous circumstances.'