STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — More than 100 Staten Islanders gathered along Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners Monday for a candlelight vigil honoring people killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
The vigil, held across from Rep. Nicole Malliotakis’ office at around 5 p.m., commemorated Renee Nicole Good, 37, and others who organizers say have died following interactions with ICE. Good, a mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE agent Jan. 7 in Minneapolis. Vigil organizers say she is one of 39 people killed by ICE agents since January 2025.
Sally Jones, 76, of St. George and a member of the Unitarian Church of Staten Island Social Justice Committee and the Staten Island Peace Action Committee, helped organize the vigil on Monday, Jan. 12. 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
That figure is not an official ICE statistic, but was compiled by independent trackers and advocates.
Sally Jones, a member of the Unitarian Church of Staten Island Social Justice Committee and the Staten Island Peace Action Committee, helped organize the event, which drew participants from across the borough.
“She is our representative, and we need her to hear us and hear our distress about the shooting of Renee Good and all the other people who’ve been shot by ICE, and the presence of ICE in our communities,” Jones said. “I don’t think she hears the distress people feel about it.”
Over 100 Staten Islanders gathered along Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners for a candlelight vigil honoring Renee Good and others who’ve been killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
The Rev. Antoinnette Donegan, 65, of First Central Baptist Church, Stapleton, led the group in prayer, emphasizing the human impact of the violence.
“A family will be forever changed in a community that carries grief,” Donegan said. “We are not here for politics. We are here for people — for families, for mourning, for communities that are living in grave fear.”
The vigil was part of ongoing demonstrations, with the group holding regular gatherings outside Malliotakis’ office over the past several months. The group is calling on the congresswoman to address concerns from constituents who say they feel unrepresented in Congress
The Rev. Antoinnette Donegan, 65, of First Central Baptist Church in Stapleton led the group in prayer during a candlelight vigil honoring people killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12. 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
“There have been too many victims,” said Karen, 44, of New Springville, who declined to give her last name. “I think Renee (Good) struck a chord with a lot of women and mothers.” Good was a wife to Becca Good and a mother of three.
Organizers urged Malliotakis and Congress to take action to prevent future killings by ICE agents and to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable.
Over 100 Staten Islanders gathered along Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners for a candlelight vigil honoring Renee Good and others who’ve been killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
In a statement to the Advance/SILive.com, Malliotakis said the tragedy could have been avoided through greater cooperation between local governments and federal immigration authorities.
“This tragedy could have been prevented if local governments cooperated with ICE and turned over foreign criminals, gang members and drug traffickers instead of law enforcement having to conduct raids to find them,” Malliotakis said. “Here in New York, more than 7,000 individuals — including murderers and rapists like Laken Riley’s killer — have been released back onto our streets.”
Over 100 Staten Islanders gathered along Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners for a candlelight vigil honoring Renee Good and others who’ve been killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was murdered while jogging near the University of Georgia in February 2024. Her attacker, José Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
“There’s absolutely no good reason for states and municipalities to shield these criminals by refusing to cooperate with federal law enforcement, making it less safe for both officers and the public,” Malliotakis said.
Noah, 48, and Rev. George McClain, 87, hold up candles during a vigil honoring people killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12. 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
– Over 100 Staten Islanders gathered along Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners for a candlelight vigil honoring Renee Good and others who’ve been killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod) (Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
Over 100 Staten Islanders gathered along Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners for a candlelight vigil honoring Renee Good and others who’ve been killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
Over 100 Staten Islanders gathered along Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners for a candlelight vigil honoring Renee Good and others who’ve been killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
Bill Anderson, 62, attends a candlelight vigil honoring Renee Good and others who’ve been killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
Over 100 Staten Islanders gathered along Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners for a candlelight vigil honoring Renee Good and others who’ve been killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
Over 100 Staten Islanders gathered along Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners for a candlelight vigil honoring Renee Good and others who’ve been killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
Over 100 Staten Islanders gathered along Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners for a candlelight vigil honoring Renee Good and others who’ve been killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)