Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, is currently facing growing internal pressure from its employees concerning its engagement with federal immigration enforcement agencies. An open letter, now signed by more than 1,000 full-time Alphabet employees, urges the company to discontinue all contracts and business involving U.S. immigration enforcement bodies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The letter, publicly released last Friday, highlights demands for greater transparency regarding the application of Google’s technology by these federal agencies. Central to employees’ concerns is Google's provision of cloud services to government entities involved in immigration enforcement activities. Employees voiced apprehension about the lack of internal disclosure from Google leadership, including CEO Sundar Pichai, regarding these partnerships, which they describe as contributing to a "campaign of surveillance, violence, and repression." This perceived opacity has motivated the workforce to issue a formal appeal for clearer communication and openness surrounding Google's role in federal government collaborations.
Additionally, the letter advocates for Google to withdraw its technology from all contracts linked to DHS, ICE, and CBP. Beyond severing these ties, the employees seek the implementation of safeguards to protect those within their community from the direct or indirect impacts of immigration enforcement efforts. They also call for the establishment of worker safety protocols and request an all-hands meeting dedicated to addressing these pressing concerns.
The emergence of this employee-driven letter signals rising dissatisfaction within Google regarding the company’s deepening connections with federal government agencies. The sentiment intensifies amid public debate and heightened scrutiny over immigration enforcement practices, especially following tragic incidents linked to these agencies.
This movement within Alphabet aligns with similar demonstrations across other technology companies. For example, at the end of January, employees from major firms such as Amazon.com Inc., Spotify Technology, and Meta Platforms voiced comparable concerns by signing a letter demanding ICE be excluded "from our cities." Such collective actions underscore growing unease in the tech industry about entanglements with immigration enforcement.
In recent years, Google has expanded its involvement with the federal government. Notably, in April 2025, the company secured a significant contract challenging Microsoft Corp.'s long-standing role as the principal software provider for U.S. federal government agencies. Beyond cloud computing agreements, Google has formed strategic partnerships with prominent defense and security contractors. It has collaborated with Lockheed Martin Corp. to integrate its Gemini artificial intelligence into undisclosed offerings and works with Palantir Technologies Inc., a company known for supporting DHS, ICE, CBP, and all six branches of the U.S. military through its platforms.
The timing of the employee letter coincides with broader political friction at the state level regarding immigration enforcement. For instance, California has witnessed tensions between Governor Gavin Newsom and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem concerning the state's policies on cooperating with ICE in criminal deportations. This wider context further fuels the debate surrounding technology companies' roles in governmental immigration activities.
The letter from Alphabet employees constitutes a significant expression of concern that integrates issues of ethical responsibility, corporate transparency, and worker protection. The signatories believe that Google's participation facilitates surveillance mechanisms tied to immigration enforcement, resulting in human rights and privacy concerns. They call for immediate and clear action from company leadership to distance itself from these federal activities and to safeguard employees and affected communities.
Alphabet's leadership has yet to publicly respond to the demands articulated in the open letter. The outcomes of these internal pressures may influence future partnerships Google pursues with government entities, as well as its corporate policies concerning social responsibility and ethical technology deployment.