Tech Titans Break Silence: Sam Altman, Tim Cook Slam ICE Tactics After Minneapolis Killings
As tensions rise over aggressive immigration enforcement in Minnesota, some of America’s most influential tech leaders are stepping into the debate, openly criticizing the tactics used by federal immigration agents and urging the U.S. government to change course.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Apple CEO Tim Cook are among a growing group of corporate executives who say Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has gone too far. Their comments follow a second fatal shooting of a protester by federal agents in Minneapolis this month, an incident that has sparked nationwide outrage, protests, and calls for accountability.
For weeks, many major companies stayed silent as immigration enforcement ramped up in the state. That silence is now cracking.
Sam Altman: “ICE Is Going Too Far”
In an internal message sent to OpenAI employees, Sam Altman did not mince words.
“What’s happening with ICE is going too far,” Altman wrote in a Slack message, according to a source familiar with the communication. “There is a big difference between deporting violent criminals and what’s happening now, and we need to get the distinction right.”
Altman’s message came shortly after a protester was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis over the weekend. It was the second such fatal incident in the city this month, intensifying scrutiny of ICE operations under the Trump administration.
Altman acknowledged the importance of enforcing immigration laws but said loving the country also means speaking up when the government crosses a line.
“I love the U.S. and its values of democracy and freedom,” he wrote. “But part of loving the country is the American duty to push back against overreach.”
Apple CEO Tim Cook also addressed the issue in an internal memo to employees, describing himself as “heartbroken” by the events unfolding in Minneapolis. According to reports, Cook urged calm and called for de-escalation, echoing concerns raised by Altman and others.
Cook reportedly discussed the situation directly with President Donald Trump, although Apple declined to comment publicly on the conversation.
While Cook’s words were measured, his decision to speak at all marked a significant moment. Apple has historically been cautious when commenting on politically sensitive issues, particularly during Trump’s presidency.
A Breaking Point After Weeks of Silence
Since “Operation Metro Surge” began in Minneapolis in December, thousands of federal agents have been deployed as part of a sweeping immigration enforcement campaign. The Trump administration has described the operation as necessary for public safety, saying it targets dangerous criminals.
Critics, however, say the reality on the ground tells a different story.
Local officials, civil rights advocates, and residents have warned that migrants with no criminal records and even U.S. citizens have been detained. Protests have grown larger and more frequent, especially after two fatal shootings involving federal agents.
For weeks, many major Minnesota-based corporations remained publicly quiet, despite the state being a major corporate hub. That changed after the second shooting over the weekend.
Executives from companies including 3M, UnitedHealth Group, and General Mills joined more than 60 CEOs in signing a public statement calling for de-escalation and urging local and federal leaders to work together to reduce tensions.
Employees Push Leaders to Act
Pressure is also coming from inside corporate offices.
More than 450 employees from major tech firms, including Google, Meta, Salesforce, and OpenAI, signed a letter urging their executives to take a stronger stand. The letter called on companies to pressure the White House to withdraw ICE from U.S. cities, cancel contracts with ICE, and speak out publicly against what the workers described as violence by federal agents.
The letter reflects growing discomfort among employees who say their companies’ values are at odds with what they are seeing unfold in cities like Minneapolis.
Altman’s comments also come amid internal tension within the venture capital world.
At Khosla Ventures, one of OpenAI’s early backers, founder Vinod Khosla and partner Ethan Choi publicly distanced themselves from remarks made by fellow partner Keith Rabois. Rabois had suggested over the weekend that law enforcement had not shot an innocent person and claimed that undocumented immigrants commit crimes daily.
Khosla and Choi disavowed those comments, highlighting how deeply divided even Silicon Valley leaders are on immigration and law enforcement.
A Risky Moment for Corporate America
Many business leaders have been hesitant to criticize President Trump during his second term, wary of political backlash or regulatory consequences. But the violence in Minneapolis appears to have pushed some executives past their comfort zones.
For companies that rely on immigrant labor, global talent, and diverse workforces, the issue is not just political; it is personal.
Altman acknowledged the sensitivity of the moment, expressing hope that Trump would use his leadership to bring the country together.
“President Trump is a very strong leader, and I hope he will rise to this moment and unite the country,” Altman wrote. “I am encouraged by the last few hours of response and hope to see trust rebuilt with transparent investigations.”
What Comes Next
As investigations into the shootings continue, Minneapolis remains on edge. Protests are ongoing, and political leaders remain sharply divided over whether ICE should remain in the city.
What is clear is that the conversation has shifted. Tech leaders who once stayed on the sidelines are now speaking openly, joining a broader national debate about immigration enforcement, accountability, and the limits of government power.
Whether their voices will lead to real policy changes remains uncertain. But for many Americans watching the situation unfold, the fact that some of the country’s most powerful corporate figures are finally speaking out feels like a turning point.
For now, the pressure is on Washington to respond not just with words, but with actions that restore trust and prevent further loss of life.
