#373 Support Dr. Jane Wu; Death of Renee Good/AAPI Reactions; ICE Detention; AAJC Update+

In This Issue #373

·       Support Justice & Honor the Memory of Dr. Jane Ying Wu

·       Tragic Death of Renee Nicole Good

·       Asian Pacific Americans Respond

·       Deadly ICE Detention

·       Update from Advancing Justice | AAJC

·       News and Activities for the Communities

Support Justice & Honor the Memory of Dr. Jane Ying Wu 吴瑛

Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), the Federation of Asian Professor Associations (FAPA), and concerned faculty call for university faculty members to add their names to a sign-on letter expressing deep concern over the recent allegations by the Estate of Dr. Jane Ying Wu regarding the treatment of the late Dr. Jane Ying Wu 吴瑛, a prominent scientist and U.S. citizen, by Northwestern University.

Dr. Wu was not only a brilliant scientist who loved her work and had dreams to help others through science, but also a loving mother. Her daughter, Elizabeth Rao, born in California and raised in the Midwest, described memories of her mother to NBC News, sharing how her mother would “turn simple houses into warm homes” and how the “two would also sing along to tunes during long drives.” This is a loss that can never be rectified for the family, but we hope we can live up to her memory. As her daughter said to NBC, “We carry this with us: her upstanding morals and conviction to fight against injustice.”

Deadline to sign on by faculty members to the coalition letter at https://bit.ly/49sPons is January 29, 2026, at 12 pm Eastern Time.

Read the story of Dr. Jane Ying Wu: https://bit.ly/4sMDvQD

Tragic Death of Renee Nicole Good

On January 7, 2026, 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good—a U.S. citizen, mother of three, writer, and community member—was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a large federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The operation was part of what the Department of Homeland Security described as one of the largest ICE deployments in the U.S. at the time, involving thousands of agents. Good was shot after she moved her vehicle during an encounter with officers; video footage shows an ICE agent fire multiple shots while staying on his feet as the vehicle passed. Good died from gunshot wounds at a local hospital.

According to wide media reports, significant developments since the incident include:

National Outcry and Protests. Renee Nicole Good’s death triggered immediate protests in Minneapolis, followed by solidarity demonstrations in major cities nationwide. Protesters condemned ICE’s use of lethal force in a residential neighborhood and called for independent accountability, an end to militarized immigration enforcement, and clearer limits on federal agents operating in local communities. State and local officials, while condemning the shooting and calling for accountability, repeatedly urged the public to engage in peaceful protest and avoid violence, emphasizing the importance of protecting both constitutional rights and community safety.

“We Had Whistles. They Had Guns.” Good’s wife, Becca Good, released a statement explaining that the couple had been attempting to alert neighbors and de-escalate tensions during the ICE operation. Her words—“We had whistles. They had guns.”—quickly became a rallying cry, appearing on protest signs, social media, and opinion pieces. The phrase underscored the asymmetry of force and the civilian nature of the couple’s actions.

Massive GoFundMe Support. A GoFundMe campaign established to support Good’s family drew tens of thousands of donors and raised more than $1.5 million in a matter of days, far surpassing its initial goal. The campaign was later closed, and the funds were placed into a trust to provide long-term support for Good’s spouse and family, reflecting the breadth of public sympathy and outrage.

High-Profile Legal Representation. Good’s family retained Romanucci & Blandin, the Chicago-based civil rights law firm known for representing George Floyd’s family and other high-profile police accountability cases. The firm announced it would conduct its own independent investigation, preserve evidence, and pursue all available civil and constitutional claims against responsible parties.

Local Officials Reject the Federal Narrative. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and other state and local officials publicly disputed the federal government’s characterization of Renee Good as a threat. They challenged ICE’s assertion of self-defense and emphasized that local authorities had not been consulted in advance of the operation. Their statements widened the rift between state and federal officials and intensified calls for transparency.  A lawsuit was filed against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Secretary Kristi Noem to stop the surge of federal law enforcement agents, including ICE, in the state.

Judge Orders Curbs. A federal judge in Minnesota ordered that U.S. immigration agents deployed en masse to Minneapolis be restricted in some of the tactics they have taken against peaceful demonstrators and observers, including arrests and tear-gassing.

FBI Assumes Control of the Investigation. The FBI took over the investigation into the shooting. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension withdrew after being informed it would not receive full access to evidence, including federal agent statements and certain forensic materials. This withdrawal raised significant concerns among civil rights advocates and lawmakers about transparency, independence, and public trust.

Frame-by-Frame and Open-Source Analysis. Journalists, legal analysts, and open-source investigators began conducting frame-by-frame reviews of available body-camera footage, surveillance video, and audio recordings. These analyses questioned the immediacy of the threat claimed by ICE agents and highlighted discrepancies between official statements and visual evidence, further fueling public skepticism.

Threat of Military Occupation. President Donald Trump publicly threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy active-duty military forces to Minneapolis, citing unrest following the shooting. The remarks drew sharp criticism from state officials, constitutional scholars, and civil liberties groups, who warned that such action would dangerously escalate tensions and undermine civilian governance.

Justice Department Mass Resignations. In the weeks following the incident, multiple Justice Department officials—including career prosecutors and civil rights staff—reportedly resigned or sought transfers. Public reporting and statements from former officials indicated concerns over political interference, pressure to align with the federal narrative, and the sidelining of standard civil rights review processes. These departures intensified scrutiny of the DOJ’s independence and credibility.

Broader Immigration Enforcement Context. Good’s death became emblematic of a broader pattern of fatal encounters involving ICE and other federal enforcement agencies since 2025. Civil rights groups documented multiple incidents involving aggressive tactics, heavily armed agents, and limited coordination with local authorities. Advocates argued that the shooting reflected systemic issues rather than an isolated tragedy.

Public Opinion Poll. In a survey by Quinnipiac University, days after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed, 53% said the shooting was not justified, and 35% said it was. Another 12% of respondents did not state an opinion.

Asian Pacific Americans Respond

In the wake of the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, a wide range of Asian American and allied civil rights, advocacy, and community groups have expressed outrage, solidarity, and calls for accountability.

Asian Americans, especially Hmongs, in Minnesota are reportedly targeted as Federal immigration agents are trying to get Minnesota residents to racially profile their neighbors for deportation.  An AsAmNews OpEd discusses the impact of ICE raids in Minnesota and explores Minnesota’s history of supporting refugee communities, their contributions to civic identity, and the challenges posed by racialized immigration policies.

State and local Asian American leaders and members of AAPI coalitions have participated in vigils, peaceful protests, and community discussions emphasizing lawful, peaceful action and solidarity with immigrant families.

Tri-Caucus Statement. Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)—along with Congressional Progressive Caucus Deputy Chair Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), issued a joint statement condemning the deadly shooting in Minneapolis and called for accountability and suspension of ICE operations in Minnesota.

AAUC Town Hall and Op-Ed. The Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC) held an online town hall meeting to bring together community members and allies to process the tragedy of Renee Good and build solidarity in the face of federal overreach.

Dr. SK Lo, Board Chair of AAUC and a resident of Minneapolis, addresses in an op-ed the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good, a white woman, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, highlighting the lack of evidence that she posed a threat and questioning the motives behind aggressive immigration enforcement. She critiques the surge in ICE arrests as political theater rather than necessary policy, emphasizing the broader consequences of such actions, including the erosion of compassion and justice in America. Dr. Lo reflects on the complex realities of undocumented immigration, the historical context of American identity as a nation of immigrants, and the need for accountability and humane policies. She calls for leaders to prioritize compassion and dignity for immigrant communities, reaffirming the values that define democracy.  

Community Statements. Asian American organizations including Asian American Advancing Justice - Atlanta, National Federation of Filipino American Associations, OCA National Center, and Stop AAPI Hate issued formal statements condemning the killing as part of a pattern of dangerous, militarized federal enforcement that endangers immigrant and broader communities nationwide, and joined growing demands for a thorough, independent investigation into the incident.

Deadly ICE Detention

According to Russell Jeung 張華耀, Professor of Asian American studies at San Francisco State University and co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, in 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recorded its deadliest year in two decades, with over 30 detainee deaths, including five Asian nationals. These deaths highlight the dangerous conditions within ICE facilities, such as neglect, abuse, delayed medical care, and language barriers, which exacerbate the suffering of detainees.

The case of Chaofeng Ge, a 32-year-old detainee found dead under suspicious circumstances, underscores the lack of transparency and accountability in ICE operations. Ge was found hanging in a shower stall at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. While investigators ruled his death a suicide, the autopsy report stated that he was found with his hands and feet tied behind his back, raising questions about the circumstances of his death. Ge’s family has struggled to obtain records about his death, and his isolation due to the absence of Mandarin interpretation further illustrates systemic failures in detention centers.

The impact of ICE’s mass deportation policies extends beyond detention centers, instilling fear and trauma in Asian American communities. With 1 in 7 Asian immigrants undocumented and vulnerable to deportation, families face threats of separation and racial profiling. Historical parallels are drawn to 19th-century immigration laws that targeted Chinese immigrants, showing how racialized deportation practices have persisted over time. Cases like Yunseo Chung, a Korean American student targeted for deportation after exercising free speech, and the forced separation of 6-year-old Yuanxin Zheng from his father, exemplify the human cost of these policies.

The article calls for an end to for-profit prisons, family separations, and racially discriminatory enforcement practices, which have caused lasting trauma and fear among Asian American communities. Professor Jeung emphasizes that these policies do not enhance national security but instead perpetuate systemic injustice and harm. He advocates for justice for victims like Ge and broader reforms to create a fair and humane immigration system.

Read Professor Jeung’s report: https://bit.ly/4jy3o2D

Update from Advancing Justice | AAJC

During the APA Justice monthly meeting on January 6, 2026, Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC, highlighted a major near-term advocacy development following the release of a congressional appropriations “minibus” covering Commerce, Justice, and Science, Energy and Water, and Interior funding. The bill, which recently passed the House, removed language that would have directed the Department of Justice to reinstate the China Initiative, a result she described as a significant victory for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. She emphasized that the outcome reflects sustained coalition advocacy and community engagement raising concerns about the initiative’s harmful impact on Chinese American and Asian American scientists, researchers, and scholars. The bill will now move to the Senate.

She noted that coalition partners are preparing a coordinated press statement to coincide with the House floor vote, underscoring continued vigilance against policies that unfairly target Asian American communities. While celebrating the outcome internally, Joanna explained that organizations are being strategic in their public messaging to avoid prompting renewed efforts to reintroduce similar language in future appropriations cycles. She thanked partners for their coordination and persistence, acknowledging that the appropriations process is often opaque and requires sustained, behind-the-scenes engagement to achieve meaningful results.

Joanna also provided a year-end update on advocacy around the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). She reported that Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC and coalition partners successfully blocked seven of the eight harmful provisions they formally opposed, including measures restricting academic research, discriminatory land-use proposals, and provisions targeting LGBTQ+ service members and families. While noting that the final bill still contained concerning anti-DEI language and was far from perfect, she underscored the progress made in a challenging legislative environment. With the NDAA now signed into law, AAJC will continue monitoring implementation, mitigating harms where possible, and engaging early in the next fiscal year.

A summary of the January 5 APA Justice monthly meeting is being prepared at this time.

News and Activities for the Communities

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

Upcoming Events:2026/01/21 Perception and Reality: What U.S.–China Relations Mean for Chinese Americans Today

2026/01/28 Elliot L. Richardson Prize for Exceptional Public Service

2026/01/29-30 The Jimmy Carter Forum on U.S.-China Relations2026/02/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting

2026/02/11 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: BD WongVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.

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APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community.  For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org. We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org.