Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a 37-year-old mother and poet, was tragically killed by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday. This incident shocked her community and opened up a much-needed discussion about the behavior of the federal immigration enforcement. Macklin Good is Colorado-born and just recently moved to Minnesota from Kansas City, Missouri. Today, she is making the most of her new city.
Macklin Good, known for her artistic talents and dedication to her family, left behind three children: a 15-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son from her first marriage, and a six-year-old son from her second marriage. Friends and family have been remembering her as an affectionate mother who loved her children to the moon and back. Her social media bios listed her as a “poet and writer and wife and mom.” Yet it’s revealing of her dynamic and complex identity.
As someone who had only interacted with law enforcement one time—for a minor traffic violation and payment plan for his car—Macklin Good was without a criminal record. This grim reality is what has compelled many to ask how she could have died. In her younger days, she was involved as a participant with youth mission trips to Northern Ireland. Her commitment to family, faith, and community was evident on every journey she made.
Macklin Good’s devotion to her Christian faith influenced nearly every aspect of her life. Friends continued to recall her as one of the most kind and loving people they had ever met. As one of her friends put it, “Renee was the warmest, most generous soul I have ever known in my life. Her loving nature spread far beyond her immediate family, as Miss Sheila built, nourished and cared for relationships all around her during her life.
“She was an amazing human being. She’s taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving, and affectionate,” said a close friend.
As seen on social media, Macklin Good was full of life and sass, adding a pride flag emoji to her Instagram bio. Such a gesture spoke to her compassion, capacity for inclusion, and connection to intergalactic communities.
In the wake of her death, activists and community members have continued to push for her memory. One individual reflected on the significance of Macklin Good’s life, saying, “May Renee’s life be a reminder of what unites us: freedom, love, and peace. My hope is for compassion, healing, and reflection at a time that is becoming one of the darkest and most uncertain periods in our nation’s history.”
Creative genius Macklin Good’s talent for poetry was revealed when she won a special award for her positive original work, showing that artsy imagination. Her writing went right to the heart of what it meant to live and feel, forging an unbreakable connection with her readers.
The entire Minneapolis community should rightfully be in mourning after this tragic loss. At the same time, immigration enforcement actions are separating families, including the family of Macklin Good. Community members on both sides are calling for more compassion and understanding in dealing with immigration issues.