Tech Billionaires Condemn ICE’s Shooting of Alex Pretti — From Sam Altman to Anthropic CEO

The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis has ignited a national reckoning—one that has now reached the highest levels of Silicon Valley. 

What began as localized outrage has rapidly evolved into a broader debate over ICE enforcement tactics, democratic values, and the responsibility of powerful tech leaders to speak out.

In a rare moment of alignment, several prominent tech billionaires and AI executives—including leaders from OpenAI, Anthropic, LinkedIn, and Google—have publicly or internally condemned ICE’s actions. 

Their responses, however, reveal not only moral concern but also the tensions between political power, corporate interests, and public accountability.

Key Takeaways

• Major AI and tech leaders have condemned ICE’s role in Alex Pretti’s killing, citing threats to democracy
• Responses range from public statements to internal messages, sparking criticism over perceived caution
• Tech workers are increasingly pressuring CEOs to cut ICE ties and take clearer public stances

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What Happened to Alex Pretti?

Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal immigration agents during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis. 

Multiple videos circulating online appear to show Pretti being restrained when he was shot, prompting widespread condemnation and protests across the U.S.

Pretti became the second American citizen killed by federal agencies in Minnesota in a single month, intensifying scrutiny of ICE’s presence in U.S. cities. The incident has fueled renewed calls for investigations, accountability, and even defunding or abolishing ICE.

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Condemns ICE—Internally

The OpenAI CEO condemn ICE discussion gained momentum after an internal Slack message from Sam Altman was leaked to The New York Times. In the message, Altman wrote:

“What’s happening with ICE is going too far.”

Altman framed his criticism as part of a broader civic duty, stating that “loving the country means pushing back against overreach.” 

However, he stopped short of issuing a public condemnation and paired his critique with praise for President Trump as a “very strong leader.”

This dual messaging drew mixed reactions. While some employees welcomed the acknowledgment, critics argued Altman was trying to “have it both ways”, especially given OpenAI’s rapid growth amid pro-AI federal policies.

Anthropic Condemns ICE: Public, Principled, and Direct

In contrast, Anthropic condemn ICE reactions were notably public. CEO Dario Amodei expressed concern on NBC News and on X, referencing the “horror we’re seeing in Minnesota” and emphasizing the need to defend democracy at home.

Amodei also clarified that Anthropic has no contracts with ICE, distancing the company from federal immigration enforcement. 

Co-founder Chris Olah went further, calling the killing something that “shocks the conscience” and reaffirming his belief in classical liberal democratic values.

Their stance positioned Anthropic as one of the clearest voices among AI companies opposing ICE’s actions.

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LinkedIn, Google, and AI Leaders Speak Out

Beyond OpenAI and Anthropic, other influential figures joined the condemnation:

• Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn co-founder) reshared strong criticism of ICE tactics, urging humanity over politics
• Jeff Dean (Google DeepMind) called the shooting “absolutely shameful,” highlighting civil liberties concerns
• Yann LeCun labeled the killing bluntly as “murder,” sparking intense debate online

These responses reinforced a growing narrative of AI against ICE, at least rhetorically, even as several major tech CEOs—including leaders at Apple, Meta, and Microsoft—remain silent.

Tech Workers Pressure Billionaires to Act

The backlash is not limited to public discourse. Tech employees across companies have signed open letters demanding that executives:

• Cancel all ICE contracts
• Publicly condemn ICE violence
• Call the White House to demand ICE withdrawal from cities

Groups like ICEout.tech argue that internal messages are no longer enough and that multibillionaire condemn ICE statements must translate into concrete action.

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The Business and Political Tension

The controversy exposes an uncomfortable reality: many AI companies have benefited from an administration whose enforcement policies they now criticize. OpenAI and Anthropic alone have raised tens of billions amid AI-friendly regulations.

This tension explains why some responses appear cautious, carefully balancing moral outrage with political pragmatism.

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Why This Moment Matters

The Alex Pretti shooted by ICE case has become a litmus test for Silicon Valley’s values. Unlike past moments where tech leaders spoke freely, this crisis directly intersects with federal power, contracts, and national policy—raising the stakes considerably.

Whether these condemnations mark a turning point or remain symbolic gestures is still unfolding.

FAQ

Why are tech billionaires condemning ICE now?

The killing of Alex Pretti, supported by video evidence and public protests, made silence politically and morally costly.

Did OpenAI publicly condemn ICE?

No. Sam Altman criticized ICE in an internal message, but has not issued a public condemnation.

How did Anthropic respond to the shooting?

Anthropic leaders publicly condemned the violence and stated they have no ICE contracts.

Are all tech companies speaking out?

No. Several major tech CEOs, including from Apple and Meta, have remained silent so far.

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