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Tech Workers Speak Out: Demanding Action Against ICE from Their Companies

Published

2 months ago

February 11, 2026

‘Shut up and focus on the mission’: Tech workers are frustrated by their companies’ silence about ICE

Keep your head down. Compartmentalize. Don’t make trouble.

That’s what many tech workers are taking their CEOs’ strategic silence to mean, amid an immigration crackdown across the US by the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security. Widespread violence by federal agents has sparked protests in Minneapolis and across the country. One month after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, and two weeks after Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, the majority of tech CEOs have remained tight-lipped. Internally, workers from several companies describe a culture of silence and fear — and trepidation over what kind of future they’re helping to build.

The Verge spoke with tech workers at giants like Microsoft, YouTube, and Google, as well as tech companies in specific industries, like biometric verification firm CLEAR and medical device / healthcare company Abbott. Most described the same feeling of being told to stick to the corporate mission, whether outright or not, and feeling fearful for their jobs if they were to stick a toe out of line. Microsoft, Google, and Abbott did not provide a comment. CLEAR’s chief privacy officer, Lynn Haaland, told The Verge in a statement, “We do not work with ICE and never have, full stop.”

Many also described an eerie lack of acknowledgment in town hall meetings and public messaging from their companies. Internal forums and messaging platforms at the companies were also often devoid of mentions, besides a number of posts viewed by The Verge on Microsoft’s internal forum, Viva Engage. Some of the posts in a political discussion channel mentioned the intensifying protests in Minneapolis, ICE’s actions and victims, and Donald Trump’s administration. Posts in a different channel asked for actionable guidance on what to do in case of ICE detention and which documents the company recommends people perpetually carry on their person.

“The dissent I’ve seen is like a whisper,” said one employee who works on Azure at Microsoft, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, adding that people are afraid to speak out publicly and not sure who to trust internally. “It’s a fear-based culture right now.”

Although federal agents have killed at least eight people so far in 2026 and public protests are intensifying, chief executives at companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, AWS, and OpenAI have stayed radio silent in terms of public statements. Privately, Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly sent internal memos to staff about the situation, both calling for deescalation and expressing their beliefs that President Trump would rise to the occasion. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei briefly spoke publicly, mentioning in a NBC interview that the company does not have contracts with ICE, and he posted on X about “the horror we’re seeing in Minnesota” and “the importance of preserving democratic values and rights at home.”

It’s a far cry from resistance efforts in Big Tech years back. In 2018, Microsoft workers presented leadership with a petition protesting the company’s ICE contracts, signed by about 500 Microsoft employees. That same year, thousands of Google workers successfully protested the company’s “Project Maven” partnership with the Pentagon, including about 4,000 Googler signatures on a petition. Tech companies’ responses (or lack thereof) to ICE’s recent actions are also a significant departure from their statements in 2018, and from their statements and financial commitments to the Black Lives Matter movement after George Floyd’s murder in 2020.

Meanwhile, most tech leaders have attempted to ingratiate themselves with Trump since he resumed office, donating to his inauguration fund or the main pro-Trump super PAC, dining with him at the White House, and putting out public statements praising the administration’s views on tech and AI. Many of them have also significantly increased their collaborations with the government, either putting out products specifically designed for use by military, defense, and intelligence agencies — like Anthropic’s Claude Gov or OpenAI’s ChatGPT Gov — or continuing or expanding their contracts with DHS, ICE, and other agencies focused on the immigration crackdown, such as Palantir. A grassroots movement aiming to send a signal to the Trump administration over anti-immigrant actions calls for consumers to boycott Microsoft, Amazon, OpenAI, and more.

An employee at YouTube, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, said, “I am personally frustrated that companies have cozied up to Trump, told their workers to just kind of shut up and focus on the mission, and not make any distinctions about what the company actually stands for at this moment in time.

The recent petitions and demands put forth by Google employees and other tech industry workers highlight a growing concern over the actions of ICE and the government. These employees are calling for urgent government responses to the crisis, hosting Q&A sessions, and taking steps to protect workers. Additionally, there is a push for tech CEOs to speak out against ICE’s violence, cancel contracts with ICE, and demand ICE to leave cities. The lack of public action from tech CEOs has led to non-C-suite leaders and employees speaking out against the actions of ICE, expressing outrage and concern over the situation. Despite internal pressures to remain focused on company missions, some employees are openly discussing their anti-ICE stance and feeling vulnerable due to the current political climate. The discrepancy between company missions and actions has led some employees to question their role within their organizations and their willingness to tolerate such actions. Overall, there is a sense of disappointment and discomfort among tech employees over the lack of acknowledgment and discussion of these important issues within their companies. “I have struggled to focus on work lately. It’s disheartening that there has been no acknowledgment or support for employees in Minneapolis, especially considering the current situation. It would mean a lot to just have some resources or guidelines in place for mental health support during these uncertain times. It’s concerning that there has been no communication or plan in case ICE shows up at our office or homes, especially since many of our colleagues are people of color. We need to have a plan in place for such situations to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Employee Voices Concerns at Microsoft

During a recent incident, an employee at Microsoft discovered a Post-it note in a meeting room. The note, which was seen by The Verge, contained a distressing message: “I feel completely useless here, how ’bout you?” This revelation sheds light on the internal culture at Microsoft, highlighting a broader issue within the tech industry as a whole.

In response to the discovery, a spokesperson from Microsoft stated that they are committed to creating a positive and inclusive work environment for all employees. They emphasized the importance of addressing such concerns and providing support to those who may be struggling.

Cultural Challenges in the Tech Industry

The incident at Microsoft is indicative of a larger trend within the tech industry. Many employees across various tech companies are facing similar challenges, feeling undervalued and unfulfilled in their roles. This issue underscores the need for companies to prioritize employee well-being and foster a sense of belonging and purpose in the workplace.

Experts believe that addressing these cultural challenges is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of tech companies. By creating a supportive and inclusive work environment, companies can boost employee morale, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.

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