More than 1,300 Google employees and contractors have signed a petition demanding the company disclose and terminate any contracts it holds with U.S. Immigration authorities. The escalating pressure from within Google reflects a growing wave of employee activism targeting tech companies’ involvement with government agencies responsible for immigration enforcement. The petition, released Friday, alleges Google is profiting from what workers describe as “violent state repression” and calls for a fundamental shift in the company’s ethical considerations.
The core of the dispute centers on Google’s partnerships with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Employees are demanding full transparency regarding the nature and scope of these collaborations, arguing that Google has a responsibility to divest from any projects that contribute to harmful immigration policies. This internal dissent comes as tech companies increasingly face scrutiny over their role in enabling government surveillance and enforcement practices.
“We are vehemently opposed to Google’s partnerships with DHS, CBP, and ICE,” the petition states. “We consider it our leadership’s ethical and policy-bound responsibility to disclose all contracts and collaboration with CBP and ICE, and to divest from these partnerships.” Workers further assert that Google is becoming complicit in a pattern of private companies benefiting from state-sponsored violence, and urge leadership to take a stand against such practices.
The petition specifically cites the deaths of Keith Porter, Renee Good, and Alex Pretti, individuals who died while in ICE custody, expressing “appall” and “horror” at Google’s perceived role in facilitating these outcomes. The employees argue that Google’s technology and services are being used to support a system they deem unjust and harmful.
Data Sharing Concerns and Recent Revelations
The call for transparency arrives shortly after reports surfaced detailing Google’s provision of personal data to the Department of Homeland Security. According to reporting from The New York Times, Google shared information about Amandla Thomas-Johnson, a British student and journalist, with ICE in response to a subpoena. The data included usernames, physical addresses, and details of Google services used by Thomas-Johnson, who briefly participated in a pro-Palestinian protest at Cornell University in 2024.
This incident has raised concerns about the extent to which tech companies are willing to comply with government requests for user data, even in the absence of a warrant. GV Wire reports that the case highlights how ICE is utilizing administrative subpoenas to access user information, potentially bypassing the require for judicial oversight.
Broader Tech Industry Opposition
Google is not alone in facing internal pressure regarding its ties to ICE. Employees at Amazon, Spotify, and Meta have likewise penned similar letters demanding that ICE be removed from their cities, signaling a broader trend of tech workers challenging their companies’ involvement in immigration enforcement. Computerworld detailed how over 1,000 Google employees initially voiced their concerns, a number that has now surpassed 1,300.
What’s Next?
As of Sunday, February 15, 2026, Google has not publicly responded to the petition. The company’s next steps will be crucial in determining how it addresses the growing concerns of its workforce and navigates the ethical complexities of its partnerships with immigration authorities. The situation underscores the increasing tension between tech companies and their employees over issues of social responsibility and the use of technology in government enforcement.
What are your thoughts on tech companies’ involvement with immigration enforcement? Share your perspective in the comments below.
