Thu, 05 Feb 2026

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 Workers urge Target and US firms to speak up over ICE raids

Workers are writing letters, staging strikes and in some cases resigning over how bosses are handling the immigration crackdown.
Minnesota-based businesses, including Target, are facing growing discontent from employees who fear they may be targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents due to their immigration status. The tensions have been exacerbated by recent ICE arrests at Target stores, with over 300 staff members signing an internal letter urging executives to speak out against the crackdown. Target employees, including cashier Sandra Macmillan, have spoken out about the company's handling of the situation, saying they were left feeling unsupported and unprepared for potential ICE visits. The company has said it is doing everything in its power to manage the situation and keep staff safe, but experts say that limiting access to stores and parking lots may be a murky legal area. The controversy is part of a larger national debate about immigration enforcement, with President Donald Trump's administration launching "Operation Metro Surge" aimed at restoring public safety by arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants. The initiative has prompted widespread protests and criticism from activists who say it targets innocent people. Businesses are caught in the middle, with some facing backlash for denying service to ICE agents or refusing to cooperate with their requests. Home Depot has said it cannot legally interfere with federal enforcement agencies, while Target has maintained that it does not coordinate with ICE. The situation has put a spotlight on corporate responsibility and the role of businesses in protecting their employees from immigration crackdowns. Activists are calling for companies to take a stronger stance against the Trump administration's policies, saying they have the power and influence to demand an end to the raids. In related news, the US president has announced plans to withdraw some ICE agents from Minneapolis, but experts say that the situation remains complex and uncertain.
  >>