What Tech CEOs and Executives Have Said About ICE’s Actions in Minnesota

As federal immigration enforcement intensifies in Minneapolis under President Trump’s mass deportation campaign, tech CEOs and executives have begun weighing in on ICE’s aggressive raids at businesses, protests, and related violence. While Minnesota business leaders like those from Target and Best Buy signed a cautious de-escalation letter, prominent tech voices such as LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and Khosla Ventures founder Vinod Khosla have issued sharper criticisms.[1][3]

The Context: ICE Raids Hit Minnesota Businesses Hard

Minneapolis has emerged as ground zero for what the Department of Homeland Security calls its largest operation ever, with ICE targeting retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and even parking lots like those at Home Depot.[1] Videos of agents detaining Target employees and day laborers have fueled outrage, compounded by the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol and the killing of another resident, Renee Good.[1][2]

Protests have erupted, leading businesses to close temporarily or post signs designating private property. Worker groups like the Culinary Union and United Auto Workers have condemned the “unlawful ICE behavior,” warning it harms tourism and families.[1] Amid this, public pressure mounts on corporations to respond—especially after over 60 Minnesota CEOs, including Target’s incoming chief Michael Fiddelke and Best Buy’s leadership, signed an open letter on January 26, 2026, urging “immediate de-escalation” without naming ICE or immigration directly.[1][2]

The letter drew mixed reactions: some praised the rare coalition as a “gargantuan effort” amid fears of White House retaliation, like the lawsuit against J.P. Morgan’s Jamie Dimon; others, including former Medtronic CEO Art Collins, called it too timid, wishing for a direct demand for ICE to withdraw.[2] Tech workers, however, have amplified calls for bolder corporate stances.[3]

Tech Leaders Break the Silence

Unlike the measured tone from Minnesota retail giants, tech executives outside the state have been more direct, framing ICE’s tactics as excessive and harmful. On January 26, 2026, Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder and a prominent investor, publicly stated that “the way ICE operates is terrible for the people.” His comment came amid reports of ICE’s “military occupation”-style enforcement in Minneapolis, including crowd-control measures like tear gas and rubber bullets during protests.[3]

Similarly, Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures, lambasted the operations as “macho ICE vigilantes running amuck empowered by a conscious-less administration.” Khosla’s remarks highlight growing frustration in Silicon Valley circles over federal overreach, especially as raids disrupt businesses nationwide—from Hyundai plants in Georgia to Minneapolis retail.[1][3]

These statements align with broader tech worker activism. An open letter from tech employees urged CEOs to “speak up against ICE” following Pretti’s killing, criticizing the agency’s indiscriminate tactics.[3] While no major Minnesota-based tech firms like those in the Twin Cities’ growing startup scene have individually commented, the de-escalation letter’s support from the Business Roundtable—a group of over 200 CEOs including tech giants—signals indirect alignment.[1]

Broader Business Hesitation and Pushback

Target’s Fiddelke, who signed the letter, addressed 400,000 employees in a video calling recent violence “incredibly painful” and affirming the company is doing “everything we can to manage what’s in our control”—but stopped short of mentioning ICE or the employee detentions.[1] Activists with ICE Out of Minnesota have targeted Target, Home Depot, and Hilton for stronger positions, though Hilton and Home Depot declined comment.[1]

Legal experts note businesses’ limited recourse: ICE agents in tactical gear often ignore requests to leave, prompting emergency protocols like I-9 self-audits.[1] PR veteran Ellen O’Brien suggested corporate fear drives the caution, contrasting it with 2020’s anti-racism statements after George Floyd’s murder.[2] Entrepreneurs like Nancy Lyons decried the letter as a “failure to meet the moment,” urging leaders to leverage their power amid “real suffering.”[2]

Tech’s outspoken minority—Hoffman and Khosla—stands out against this backdrop. Their critiques echo worker solidarity statements, positioning tech as less reticent than traditional Minnesota industries.[1][3]

Implications for Tech and Business

As ICE raids expand to Chicago and Los Angeles, tech’s response could influence national discourse.[1] Hoffman and Khosla’s comments risk drawing administration ire, similar to Dimon’s lawsuit, but may embolden others.[2][3] Minneapolis leaders like Adam Duininck of the Downtown Council view the CEO letter as an “important step,” while Fred Haberman of Haberman agency calls for resistance against being “bullied.”[2]

For tech CEOs, the Minnesota crisis tests commitments to diverse workforces, many reliant on immigrant talent. Khosla’s venture firm invests in immigration-friendly startups, and Hoffman’s philanthropy supports progressive causes—making their ICE rebukes ideologically consistent.[3] Yet, with federal audits looming, silence may prevail for most.[1]

In sum, while Minnesota’s CEO letter prioritizes vague peace, tech executives like Reid Hoffman and Vinod Khosla have delivered the clearest condemnations of ICE’s Minnesota actions to date: operations that terrorize communities and businesses alike.[1][2][3] As tensions persist, expect more voices—or calculated quiet—in the weeks ahead.

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Original source: TechCrunch – What tech CEOs and executives have said about ICE’s actions in Minnesota