Tech workers across the United States are reportedly expressing concerns regarding their CEOs' limited public statements concerning an ongoing immigration enforcement initiative by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and associated federal agent actions. This silence comes amidst protests in cities such as Minneapolis, following reported incidents including the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.
Tech workers are voicing apprehension over their CEOs' public silence regarding a DHS immigration enforcement initiative and associated federal agent actions, which has been linked to recent deaths and protests.
Internal Silences and Suppressed Voices
Employees from companies including Microsoft, YouTube, and Google describe an internal environment where speaking out is discouraged, with a perceived risk to job security. Microsoft, Google, and Abbott did not provide comments on the matter.
The internal environment within major tech companies is characterized by discouragement to speak out, with employees fearing for their job security.
CLEAR's chief privacy officer, Lynn Haaland, stated the company does not work with ICE.
"CLEAR does not work with ICE," stated Lynn Haaland, the company's chief privacy officer.
Internal company forums and communications have largely omitted discussion of the events. However, some posts on Microsoft's Viva Engage platform reportedly mentioned protests, ICE actions, and guidance for potential detentions.
Leaders' Silence Contrasts with Past Engagement
Numerous chief executives from major tech firms, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, AWS, and OpenAI, have not issued public statements on the current immigration enforcement initiative. While publicly silent, Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly sent internal memos advocating for de-escalation. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, however, publicly mentioned the company has no contracts with ICE and commented on events in Minnesota.
This current approach differs sharply from past tech worker resistance efforts, such as a 2018 Microsoft petition protesting ICE contracts and Google employees' successful protest against the "Project Maven" partnership. It also contrasts with tech companies' statements and financial commitments made after George Floyd's death in 2020.
The current public silence from many tech leaders stands in stark contrast to past instances of tech worker activism and corporate responses to social issues.
Deepening Ties with Government and New Ventures
Many tech leaders have increased engagement with the current administration, including contributions to a pro-administration super PAC and public statements. Collaborations with government agencies, including military, defense, intelligence, DHS, and ICE, have reportedly expanded significantly.
This heightened engagement includes contributions to a pro-administration super PAC and expanded collaborations with military, defense, intelligence, DHS, and ICE agencies.
Some new products, such as Anthropic's Claude Gov and OpenAI's ChatGPT Gov, are specifically designed for government use. Simultaneously, a grassroots movement is advocating for a consumer boycott of companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and OpenAI due to perceived anti-immigrant actions.
A grassroots movement is advocating for a consumer boycott of companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and OpenAI in response to their perceived anti-immigrant actions or affiliations.
Worker Petitions Demand Action and Transparency
Petitions are circulating among tech employees, signaling growing internal pressure. One petition, signed by over 1,000 Google employees, requests leadership to acknowledge the situation, call for government responses, and host emergency Q&A sessions regarding contracts with DHS, CBP, and military agencies.
This Google petition demands leadership acknowledge the situation, call for government responses, and host Q&A sessions on contracts with DHS, CBP, and military agencies.
Another petition, "Tech demands ICE out of our cities," initiated by ICEout.tech and signed by over 2,000 individuals from various tech companies, calls for CEOs to pressure the White House, cancel ICE contracts, and publicly oppose ICE's actions.
Emerging Voices and Internal Disconnect
Despite the executive silence, some non-executive tech leaders have publicly voiced concerns. Google's chief scientist Jeff Dean described Pretti's killing as "shameful." OpenAI's head of global business James Dyett commented on the perceived disparity in tech leaders' outrage over wealth taxes versus federal agent actions.
Employees continue to express internal apprehension and a sense of disconnection between corporate missions and current events. This sentiment was starkly captured by one Microsoft employee who found a Post-it note in a meeting room stating, "I feel completely useless here, how 'bout you?"
"I feel completely useless here, how 'bout you?" – A poignant Post-it note from a Microsoft employee reflects widespread internal apprehension and a sense of disconnection.
Specific Employee Apprehensions
An employee at Abbott, located near Minneapolis, noted a lack of communication from higher management regarding protocols for potential ICE presence, despite direct managerial support.
A CLEAR employee also expressed concerns about the potential misuse of biometric data and resources for immigration verification. This employee described a "fear-based" culture within the company regarding such issues.
Concerns include the potential misuse of biometric data and resources for immigration verification, within what one employee described as a "fear-based" culture.