OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Voices Strong Opposition to ICE Crackdown in Minnesota
In a significant corporate intervention, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has publicly criticized the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency's actions in Minnesota, describing the current enforcement crackdown as "going too far." Altman's comments come amid growing corporate unease about heavy-handed immigration enforcement tactics that have resulted in violent incidents in Minneapolis.
Corporate Leaders Break Silence on Immigration Enforcement
The controversy stems from recent ICE operations in Minneapolis that have sparked widespread concern. Federal agents shot and killed a protester over the weekend, marking the second such fatal shooting this month. This escalation has prompted more than 60 CEOs to sign a statement calling for immediate de-escalation after weeks of corporate silence on the matter.
Altman expressed his concerns in an internal Slack message to OpenAI employees, stating: "There is a big difference between deporting violent criminals and what's happening now, and we need to get the distinction right." His message represents a notable departure from the business community's previous reluctance to criticize immigration enforcement policies.
Tech Industry Leaders Unite in Concern
Apple CEO Tim Cook has also weighed in on the situation, expressing that he was "heartbroken" by events in Minneapolis and calling for de-escalation measures. According to reports, Cook has discussed the matter directly with U.S. President Donald Trump, though Apple has not provided additional comment outside regular business hours.
Altman emphasized his commitment to American values while asserting the importance of corporate responsibility: "I love the U.S. and its values of democracy and freedom and will be supportive of the country however I can; OpenAI will too. But part of loving the country is the American duty to push back against overreach."
Growing Employee Activism and Internal Divisions
The corporate response comes amid increasing employee activism within the technology sector. More than 450 employees from major firms including Google, Meta Platforms, Salesforce, and OpenAI have signed a letter urging their executives to pressure the White House to withdraw ICE from U.S. cities, cancel all contracts with the agency, and publicly condemn ICE's actions.
Meanwhile, internal divisions have emerged at Khosla Ventures, an early OpenAI backer. Founder Vinod Khosla and partner Ethan Choi have distanced themselves from comments made by partner Keith Rabois, who claimed that law enforcement had not shot an innocent person and that illegal immigrants commit crimes daily.
Minnesota Business Community Breaks Its Silence
Since the beginning of "Operation Metro Surge" in Minneapolis in December, major Minnesota corporations had maintained a cautious silence about the immigration enforcement efforts affecting the city. Minneapolis serves as both a liberal Midwestern stronghold and a significant corporate hub, making the business community's response particularly noteworthy.
Leaders from prominent Minnesota-based companies including 3M, UnitedHealth Group, and General Mills have now joined the call for de-escalation following the second weekend shooting. This represents a significant shift in corporate engagement with immigration policy issues.
Altman concluded his message with cautious optimism about potential resolution: "President Trump is a very strong leader, and I hope he will rise to this moment and unite the country. I am encouraged by the last few hours of response and hope to see trust rebuilt with transparent investigations."
The growing corporate criticism of ICE operations in Minnesota signals a potential turning point in how business leaders engage with immigration enforcement policies, particularly when those policies result in violence and community disruption.
