US businesses break their silence after latest Minnesota ICE shooting [View all]
Source: Reuters
January 26, 2026 6:08 PM EST Updated 11 hours ago
NEW YORK, Jan 26 (Reuters) - After weeks of silence, corporate executives in the past 24 hours have spoken up about the heavy immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota after federal agents shot and killed a protester in Minneapolis over the weekend, the second such shooting this month.
The comments - including a signed statement from more than 60 Minnesota-based CEOs and a video from Target's (TGT.N) incoming chief executive - do not levy criticism at President Donald Trump or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but show how the broader public is turning against the administration's actions.
Businesses have been reticent to criticize Trump during his second term. Since the outset of "Operation Metro Surge" in Minneapolis in December, major Minnesota corporations have been largely silent on the effects of immigration enforcement efforts on the city, a liberal Midwestern stronghold as well as a major corporate hub. The shooting of Alex Pretti on Saturday - and comments from the Trump administration labeling the 37-year-old nurse a "domestic terrorist" with an intent to harm law enforcement - appeared to mark a sea change.
On Sunday, more than 60 CEOs, including the leaders of 3M (MMM.N), UnitedHealth Group (UNH.N) and General Mills (GIS.N), released a statement calling for de-escalation. “Even though I wish the letter was stronger, I think it’s an important signal that Operation Metro Surge is losing its social acceptance,” said Jamie Long, a top-ranked Democratic leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/targets-incoming-ceo-calls-minnesota-violence-incredibly-painful-2026-01-26/
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