Sen. Warren: “It is not a surprise that ICE agents seem to think that they are above the law because Donald Trump, JD Vance, and the Republicans are treating them like they are above the law.”

Sen. Warren: “It is Congress’s responsibility to step up and say we are going to put new rules in place for ICE, but most of all, we’re going to demand accountability for those who break the law.”

Video of Exchange (YouTube) | Renée Good’s Family Testimony (YouTube)

February 5, 2026 - Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) questioned witnesses in a spotlight forum held by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) on the violent tactics used by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the lack of accountability following instances of misconduct. At the forum, Renée Good’s two brothers testified on her behalf.

ICE Recruitment graphic

This spotlight forum follows months of violent and abusive tactics used by ICE agents, including the murder of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in January. Recent comments from the Trump administration raise concerns that ICE agents are being told to behave illegally when conducting immigration enforcement. Vice President J.D. Vance has reportedly told agents they have “absolute immunity” from any repercussions. This week, Senator Warren led her colleagues in a push for an expedited probe of ICE’s violence after a watchdog confirmed an investigation.

Among these witnesses was Ms. Marimar Martinez, a U.S. citizen who was shot five times by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents on her way to a doctor’s appointment. At the forum, Ms. Martinez confirmed that she has not been informed of any investigations against the agent who shot her and that the agent left the state after the shooting, making it more difficult to pursue an investigation.

Senator Warren criticized the Republican Party for attempting to expand ICE’s federal budget, “an amount that is larger than most countries' military budgets.” When asked whether there had been any halt in ICE’s “slush funding” in response to the killing of Renée Good, the Good family’s legal attorney, Mr. Antonio Romanucci, confirmed that he was “not aware of any money being frozen as a result of what is happening in Minneapolis or any of the other cities.” Mr. Romanucci also called for a public investigation to ensure accountability.

Senator Warren highlighted Congress’s duty to ensure there are consequences when ICE agents break the law, as well as the importance of independent investigations similar to local officer-involved shootings.

“It is Congress's responsibility to step up and say we are going to put new rules in place for ICE, but most of all, we're going to demand accountability for those who break the law,” concluded Senator Warren.

Source: Senator Elizabeth Warren