OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Says ICE Crackdown Has Gone “Too Far” After Minnesota Shootings

MINNEAPOLIS / SAN FRANCISCO (GeokHub) — OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman has told employees that U.S. immigration enforcement actions are “going too far,” adding his voice to a growing list of corporate leaders urging de-escalation after fatal encounters involving federal agents in Minnesota.

Altman made the remarks in an internal message to staff following the killing of a protester in Minneapolis over the weekend — the second fatal shooting tied to immigration enforcement operations in the city this month. The incidents have intensified scrutiny of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics and prompted renewed calls for restraint from the business community.

“There is a big difference between deporting violent criminals and what is happening now,” Altman wrote, according to people familiar with the message. “We need to get that distinction right.”

Corporate Leaders Break Silence

Altman’s comments mark one of the strongest public rebukes yet from a major technology executive during President Donald Trump’s second term, a period in which many corporate leaders have been cautious about challenging federal policy.

Apple CEO Tim Cook also addressed the situation internally, expressing heartbreak over the violence and calling for de-escalation. Cook reportedly said he had discussed the matter directly with Trump, though Apple declined to comment publicly.

More than 60 chief executives have now signed a statement urging restraint following weeks of relative silence from corporate America as enforcement actions expanded in Minnesota, a major business hub.

Internal Divisions and Employee Pressure

The issue has also exposed divisions within the tech and investment community. At venture capital firm Khosla Ventures — an early backer of OpenAI — senior partners publicly distanced themselves from controversial remarks made by one partner defending law enforcement actions.

Meanwhile, employee activism has intensified. Hundreds of workers across major technology companies, including OpenAI, have signed letters urging their executives to press the White House to scale back ICE operations in U.S. cities and reconsider government contracts tied to enforcement agencies.

Altman acknowledged the tension in his message, saying he remains deeply supportive of the United States but believes civic responsibility includes pushing back against government overreach.

“Part of loving the country is the duty to question actions that go beyond what is just,” he wrote.

Minnesota Businesses Call for De-Escalation

Since the launch of a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis late last year, many major Minnesota-based corporations had initially avoided public comment. That stance shifted after the second fatal shooting, with executives from companies such as 3M, UnitedHealth Group and General Mills calling for calm and transparent investigations.

Public pressure has also grown after video evidence from recent incidents contradicted early official accounts, further eroding trust and fueling demands for accountability.

Political Implications

The growing chorus of corporate criticism highlights a widening gap between the administration’s enforcement strategy and the business community, particularly in technology hubs that rely heavily on immigrant labor.

Altman said he hopes the president will “rise to the moment,” rebuild trust and allow investigations to proceed transparently, suggesting that how the administration responds could shape both public confidence and corporate relations in the months ahead.