Renee Good's Tragic Death Demands Legal Reform

The Justice We Need: A Call for Change

In the wake of Renee Good's tragic death at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis, we are confronted with a disturbing lack of accountability within our legal system. If her life had been taken by a local police officer, her family would likely have been able to pursue a lawsuit for excessive force. However, under current federal law, victims of constitutional violations committed by federal agents find themselves with their hands tied. This glaring inconsistency highlights an urgent need for constitutional reform.

“If Renee Good had been killed by a state or local police officer, her family could sue the shooter for excessive force.”

The Legal Landscape

The stark reality is that federal officers operate under a different set of rules. While federal officials can face criminal charges for their actions, civil lawsuits against them are virtually non-existent due to a significant legal loophole. For instance, the Supreme Court has ruled in cases of federal oversight, reining in the ability of citizens to seek recompense in civil courts. For over 150 years, civil rights protections have existed against state and local officials, yet that same form of accountability does not extend to federal officers.

The Civil Rights Act of 1871 empowers federal courts to enforce constitutional protections against state and local governments, allowing individuals to file lawsuits under Section 1983. It allows victims of constitutional violations to seek monetary damages and injunctive relief. But this provision does not apply to federal officials. Which is why we witnessed a $27 million settlement for George Floyd's family against Derek Chauvin, while the ICE officer who killed Renee Good evades similar repercussions.

Investigating the Gaps

The lack of a federal law that allows citizens to sue federal officers has created an urgent need for change. Cases such as Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents showed that the Supreme Court once recognized the right to sue federal officers directly under constitutional amendments. Although this precedent allowed individuals to seek justice, it has been largely ignored since 1980. The Supreme Court's unwillingness to continue allowing Bivens suits has made it even clearer; the solution lies within Congress.

Congress has the responsibility to enact a law similar to Section 1983 that extends the same protections to federal officers. Enacting a "Renee Good Civil Rights Act" could be the catalyst for meaningful reform. Such legislation should simply state that those acting under federal authority can be sued if they violate the Constitution.

A Path Forward

Some may argue that enacting such legislation would unfairly burden federal officers; however, protections like qualified immunity still exist. This means that officers can only be held liable if they violate a clearly established law that every reasonable officer should know. Thus, there is a safeguard in place to ensure that while victims have the opportunity for legal redress, law enforcement is still protected from arbitrary lawsuits.

“The death of Renee Good can be the impetus for finally closing a gaping hole in our constitutional protections.”

Conclusion: Empowering Change

The ongoing lack of accountability for federal officers who violate citizens' rights needs immediate rectification. We cannot allow the death of someone like Renee Good to be another statistic in a broken system. We owe it to her memory, her family, and society at large to advocate for legislation that empowers victims and holds wrongdoers accountable. Let's turn this tragedy into a call for change—the time for action is now!