How Big Tech powers anti-immigration crackdowns
Big Tech companies are facing increasing scrutiny and protests over their government contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Critics argue these partnerships facilitate anti-immigration crackdowns and human rights concerns, particularly regarding the detention of children.
Why it matters
This reflects the growing tension between corporate social responsibility and the pursuit of lucrative government contracts in the technology sector.
The story so far: On September 15, a small group of protesters assembled near San Francisco’s Moscone Center, the venue for Salesforce’s annual tech event, calling for an end to any and all contracts between the company and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as thousands of attendees passed by them to watch CEO Marc Benioff’s keynote. Though Big Tech firms have long sought out U.S. government contracts, specific links to ICE are now sparking employee discomfort, customer protests, and calls for boycotts.
ICE was established as a federal law enforcement agency, with a mission to protect the U.S. from cross-border crime and illegal immigration, after the country witnessed the heinous terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
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