Tech Workers Protest ICE Following Killings in Minneapolis
In the wake of two killings in Minneapolis, Minnesota, allegedly committed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, tech workers are challenging their CEOs to take a stand against the agency. The renewed scrutiny comes amid broader concerns about the Trump administration's immigration policies and the increasing militarization of ICE.
The catalyst for the tech worker action was the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Following Good's death, more than 200 Silicon Valley staffers published a letter urging tech leaders to use their platforms to call for ICE's removal from U.S. cities, according to Time. After Pretti's death, the letter gained further traction, amassing over 450 signatures from employees at companies including Google, Amazon, and TikTok, Time reported. The letter argues that tech leaders possess a unique ability to influence President Trump, urging them to "pick up the phone," according to Time.
The killings occurred against a backdrop of heightened ICE activity in Minneapolis. Vox reported that agents in masks and plate carriers have become increasingly visible, mirroring a trend that began in Chicago the previous year. Vox also noted that these actions are part of a broader transformation of ICE under the Trump administration, marked by increased funding and a more militarized approach to immigration enforcement.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reportedly investigating the death of Alex Pretti, according to Vox. However, Vox characterized the Trump administration's response to Pretti's death as an attempt to sweep it "under the rug."
The increased scrutiny of ICE also comes amid other international news. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has been systematically purging senior military leaders, according to Vox. Meanwhile, Chinese physical AI firm XPeng recently debuted its new humanoid robot, IRON, according to Time.
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