OpenAI’s Sam Altman Says ICE Enforcement ‘Going Too Far’ Following Fatal Minnesota Shootings
Tech leaders and major corporations urge restraint after fatal enforcement incidents in Minneapolis.
India, Jan 28 : OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has told employees that U.S. immigration enforcement actions have crossed acceptable limits, adding his voice to growing corporate criticism following fatal incidents involving federal agents in Minnesota.
In an internal message shared on Slack, Altman said there must be a clear distinction between targeting violent offenders and broader enforcement practices now unfolding. He stressed that supporting democratic values also means questioning government overreach when necessary.
The remarks came after a protester was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis over the weekend, marking the second such incident in the city this month. The shootings have intensified scrutiny of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations under the ongoing “Operation Metro Surge.”
Altman also reaffirmed his support for the United States and its democratic institutions, while urging transparent investigations and national unity. His comments were reported by the New York Times’ DealBook.
The statement comes amid broader tensions within the tech and investment community, including public disagreements at Khosla Ventures, an early OpenAI backer. While many companies had previously remained silent during President Donald Trump’s second term, several major Minnesota based corporations have now called for restraint following the latest incident.
In addition, hundreds of employees from leading technology firms have signed an open letter urging executives to press the White House to halt ICE operations in U.S. cities and review federal contracts linked to the agency.
