By Trendsetter Tribune 
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman criticized ICE’s immigration enforcement in Minnesota, saying the agency has crossed a line and calling for restraint and accountability.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has joined a growing list of corporate leaders speaking out against aggressive immigration enforcement actions, saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement has “gone too far” in its recent crackdown in Minnesota.
In an internal message to OpenAI employees, Altman drew a clear distinction between enforcing immigration law and what he described as excessive actions now unfolding. “There is a big difference between deporting violent criminals and what’s happening now,” he wrote, according to a source familiar with the message.
Altman’s comments follow the fatal shooting of a protester by federal agents in Minneapolis over the weekend, the second such incident this month. The events have sparked widespread criticism and prompted more than 60 chief executives to sign a statement calling for de-escalation after weeks of corporate silence.
“I love the U.S. and its values of democracy and freedom,” Altman wrote. “But part of loving the country is the American duty to push back against overreach.” His message was first reported by the New York Times’ DealBook.
The remarks come amid growing tension within Silicon Valley and the venture capital world. At Khosla Ventures, an early OpenAI backer, senior leaders publicly distanced themselves from comments made by a partner defending law enforcement actions, highlighting deepening divisions over immigration policy.
Since the launch of “Operation Metro Surge” in Minneapolis last December, many major Minnesota-based companies had avoided public criticism. That began to change after the second shooting, with executives from firms including 3M, UnitedHealth Group, and General Mills calling for restraint and dialogue.
Employee pressure has also intensified. More than 450 workers from companies such as Google, Meta, Salesforce, and OpenAI signed a letter urging their leaders to push the White House to withdraw ICE from U.S. cities and reassess federal enforcement strategies.
Altman concluded his message by expressing cautious optimism, saying he hopes President Donald Trump will “rise to this moment,” restore trust, and support transparent investigations into recent incidents.