Google Employees Pen Open Letter to Executives Criticizing U.S. Policies

Nearly 1,000 employees at Google have signed an open letter to the company’s executives, urging a severance of ties with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The letter specifically points to Google’s contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as contributors to state violence and repression.

Demands for Transparency and Safety

The employees, organized under the banner of No Tech for Apartheid, are calling for an immediate question and answer session regarding Google’s military and Homeland Security contracts. They seek greater transparency around the use of Google’s technologies in support of government agencies accused of violence against civilians.

The letter expresses concern over the actions of ICE and CBP, alleging that these agencies have engaged in paramilitary-style crackdowns across the nation. In the previous month alone, several individuals were reportedly killed in incidents involving ICE and CBP operations.

Highlighted Incidents and Statistics

• At least 35 deaths in ICE detention centers since July 2025.
• Recent murders of Keith Porter, Renee Good, and Alex Pretti linked to DHS operations.

These Google workers argue that the company’s technology is critical to the functioning of surveillance operations. They cite examples like the integration of Google Cloud in border surveillance systems and its contributions to Palantir’s ImmigrationOS, which ICE utilizes for tracking individuals.

Call to Action for Leadership

The open letter outlines several specific demands aimed at Google executives:

1. Acknowledge Worker Safety: Employees are urging leadership to recognize the risks posed by ICE and CBP, demanding proportionate community safety responses.
2. Host Emergency Q&A Sessions: The workers want a live Q&A with Google leadership to address employee concerns about existing contracts.
3. Implement Worker Support: There is a call for enhanced safety measures, including legal protections for staff, particularly for those in vulnerable roles.
4. Demand Transparency: The employees seek clarity on how Google’s products may be misused for state repression, pushing for open disclosures about all related contracts.

As highlighted by Jeff Dean, Google’s Chief Scientist, during a recent tweet, there exists a collective responsibility to address these issues. The employees state they will continue to rally support for their cause and aim to achieve a company-wide response to their concerns.

Conclusion

This movement reflects a broader tension between technology companies and their roles in societal issues. Google employees are increasingly vocal about the ethical implications of their work and demand accountability from their leadership in light of these critical concerns.