On January 8, 2026, protests erupted in multiple cities, including Philadelphia, following the shooting death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis. Good was reportedly attempting to drive her vehicle toward the officer at the time of the incident, which has drawn significant public outrage and raised questions about the use of force by federal agents.

In Philadelphia, over 1,000 demonstrators gathered outside City Hall to express their anger over the shooting, which occurred near the site of George Floyd's death in 2020. Activists, including Erika Guadalupe Núñez, executive director of the immigrants' rights organization Juntos, condemned the shooting as an example of "state-sanctioned violence" and highlighted the broader implications of ICE's operations in local communities. Reports of increased ICE activity in the area since January 2025 have heightened tensions and prompted protests against local law enforcement's collaboration with federal immigration authorities.

Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and activist, has been a key figure in organizing these protests. She criticized political leaders for failing to adequately address the needs of marginalized communities, arguing that the actions of ICE contribute to a climate of fear and chaos.

In response to the incident, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey called on private airlines to cease providing flights for ICE to expedite deportations, criticizing the agency's practices as undermining community safety and due process. Healey's request follows Avelo Airlines' recent decision to end its contract with ICE, reflecting growing public backlash against the agency's operations.

The shooting has also prompted condemnation from officials in Philadelphia, including District Attorney Larry Krasner and Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, who characterized ICE as operating outside the bounds of legitimate law enforcement. Bilal stated that any ICE agents committing crimes in Philadelphia would face arrest, emphasizing the need for accountability in federal law enforcement actions.

The U.S. attorney's office has restricted state investigations into the shooting, with the FBI now leading the inquiry. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described Good's actions as a "domestic act of terrorism," a characterization that has been met with criticism from local leaders who argue that the shooting was unjustified.

As protests continue, activists are calling for comprehensive reform of immigration policies and greater accountability for federal law enforcement agencies, highlighting the need for a more humane approach to immigration enforcement that prioritizes community safety and civil rights.