At a Glance
- Employees at Google DeepMind demand safety plans against ICE after Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti was shot.
- An internal message received 20 reactions but no senior-level response.
- The incident highlights growing tension between AI firms and federal immigration enforcement.
Why it matters: The lack of leadership action raises concerns about employee protection and corporate responsibility amid a federal crackdown.
The shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti on Monday sent shockwaves through the tech industry. Two days later, a Google DeepMind employee posted a message on the company’s internal board asking what the company was doing to keep staff physically safe from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The post sparked over 20 reactions from colleagues, yet senior leaders, including CEO Sundar Pichai and DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, remained silent.
Employee Concerns
The message, sent on Monday morning, read:
“US focused question: What is GDM doing to keep us physically safe from ICE? The events of the past week have shown that immigration status, citizenship, or even the law is not a deterrent against detention, violence, or even death from federal operatives. What kinds of plans and policies are in place to ensure our safety at the office? Coming to and from work? As we have seen, government agency tactics can change and escape quite rapidly. With offices in many metro areas across the US, are we prepared?”
Key points from the employee’s post include:
- Physical safety at company premises and during commutes.
- Rapid escalation of government tactics.
- Need for clear plans and policies.
- Concern over multiple metro locations.
The message received more than 20 reactions, all expressed with a “plus” emoji, indicating strong agreement or support among staff.
Leadership Silence
By Monday evening, no senior leaders from Google had replied. Sources say that top brass-including Sundar Pichai and Demis Hassabis-had not addressed the issue publicly, nor had they commented on Pretti’s death within the company. The silence has deepened employee anxiety and fueled speculation about the company’s stance on ICE enforcement.
Industry Reactions
Google DeepMind’s chief scientist Jeff Dean, a vocal critic of ICE, posted on X after the shooting:
“This is absolutely shameful.”
Palantir employees also raised concerns. One employee wrote in Slack: “In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this.”
AI labs that partner with Palantir-including OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Meta-have discussed whether to push leaders to cut ties with the defense-tech firm, according to a New York Times report.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the Minnesota incident in an internal message, telling employees that “what’s happening with ICE is going too far.”
These statements illustrate a growing divide between Silicon Valley CEOs and their employees over the Trump administration’s deployment of federal immigration agents.
Security Incidents
A separate Google DeepMind staffer reported a federal agent’s alleged attempt to enter the company’s Cambridge, Massachusetts, office in the fall. Google’s head of security and risk operations clarified that an officer arrived at reception without notice and was not granted entry because they did not have a warrant. The agent promptly left. Google declined to comment further.
Broader Context
Silicon Valley firms rely on thousands of highly skilled foreign workers, many of whom are in the United States on visas. In late 2023, Google and Apple advised employees on visas not to leave the country after the White House tightened vetting of visa applicants.
The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has forced these firms to offer increased protections for many of their workers. Yet AI executives have largely remained silent about the federal government’s latest immigration actions. Beyond Google, top executives from OpenAI, Meta, xAI, Apple, and Amazon have yet to publicly comment on ICE activities.
The tension between corporate leaders and their employees reflects a broader struggle: how to balance compliance with federal law, corporate values, and the safety of a diverse workforce.
Key Takeaways
- Employees at Google DeepMind demand clear safety plans against ICE after a nurse’s shooting.
- Senior leaders have not responded, creating uncertainty.
- Industry leaders like Jeff Dean and Sam Altman have publicly criticized ICE actions.
- Security incidents and policy gaps underscore the need for concrete measures.
- The situation highlights a growing rift between Silicon Valley CEOs and their workforce over immigration enforcement.
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