Salesforce Employees Urge CEO Marc Benioff to Denounce ICE in Open Letter
Salesforce employees are urging CEO Marc Benioff to openly condemn the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They advocate for a halt on the use of Salesforce software by immigration agents and support significant reforms to the agency.
Concerns Over ICE Actions
The initiative stems from the tragic incidents involving Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Employees describe these events as a “devastating indictment” of a system that disregards human dignity.
Internal Letter and Reactions
The letter’s current number of signatories is undisclosed. Its circulation coincides with Salesforce’s annual leadership kickoff event in Las Vegas. During this event, Benioff acknowledged international employees, humorously suggesting that ICE agents were observing them. This comment led to widespread employee backlash, with many expressing frustration over the remarks.
- Event: Salesforce annual leadership kickoff
- Location: Las Vegas
- Key individuals: Marc Benioff, Renee Good, Alex Pretti
Ethics and Technology
The internal letter raised concerns about Salesforce’s involvement with ICE. It criticizes the company for proposing AI technology that could help ICE hire 10,000 agents. The letter also highlights that 66% of detainees currently have no criminal record, indicating a severe ethical issue.
Benioff’s Political Stance
Benioff holds a considerable influence in Washington. In the past, he successfully advocated against ICE deployments in San Francisco following outreach from tech leaders. The letter implores him to leverage this influence to publicly denounce ICE’s actions and prohibit the deployment of Salesforce’s technologies in state violence.
Previous Controversies
Benioff has a history of engaging in political discourse. He supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election and endorsed Proposition C in San Francisco to address homelessness. Despite this, he has shown a willingness to support some Republican initiatives since Trump’s presidency.
- 2016: Supported Hillary Clinton
- 2020: Donated to Kamala Harris and other Democrats
- Recent support: Expressed nonpartisan views, but hinted at backing some Republicans
This latest push from Salesforce employees highlights the growing discontent regarding the company’s ethical considerations, particularly in relation to immigration issues. As the dialogue continues, the call for corporate responsibility and humanitarian values remains at the forefront.
