Internal company documents and communications obtained by The New York Times indicate that Salesforce actively pitched the use of its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ), aiming to assist the agency in staffing up for expanded immigration raids and deportations across the country. This development follows public controversy generated by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, who recently stated he "fully supports" President Donald Trump and desires the deployment of National Guard troops in San Francisco.
Benioff's public alignment with the Trump administration on law enforcement matters stands in sharp contrast to the city's Democrat politics and his own reputation as a benefactor of progressive causes, the report noted, adding that the internal documents suggest Benioff’s support extended into offering the company's technology to aid the administration's immigration efforts.
5-page memo details how Salesforce AI can help ICE
The internal materials, which the publication says was provided by an individual who cannot be named, included a five-page memo sent on August 26. This memo explained how Salesforce was uniquely suited to assist ICE with "talent acquisition" to help the agency achieve its goal of "nearly tripl[ing] its work force by hiring 10,000 new officers and agents expeditiously."
Other documents included a spreadsheet of ICE “opportunities,” the company’s term for potential contracts, and an internal brainstorming slide deck suggesting how AI agents could help ICE evaluate information sent to the agency’s tip line and improve investigations. The company was responding to an ICE request for firms to explain how they could help hire more agents and was hoping to land a paid contract.
San Francisco leaders, already outraged by Benioff's comments on the National Guard, were further upset upon learning that the homegrown tech company was actively pursuing contracts to aid the administration's immigration crackdown .
What Salesforce has to say
In a statement, the company noted that it has served the US government across multiple administrations and that all customers are bound by company policies requiring responsible product use. Salesforce has also contracted with ICE under the Obama and Biden administrations.
Salesforce is not alone; other tech companies, including Palantir, Microsoft, and IBM, also hold contracts with ICE to support its enforcement efforts under President Trump.
Benioff's public alignment with the Trump administration on law enforcement matters stands in sharp contrast to the city's Democrat politics and his own reputation as a benefactor of progressive causes, the report noted, adding that the internal documents suggest Benioff’s support extended into offering the company's technology to aid the administration's immigration efforts.
5-page memo details how Salesforce AI can help ICE
The internal materials, which the publication says was provided by an individual who cannot be named, included a five-page memo sent on August 26. This memo explained how Salesforce was uniquely suited to assist ICE with "talent acquisition" to help the agency achieve its goal of "nearly tripl[ing] its work force by hiring 10,000 new officers and agents expeditiously."
Other documents included a spreadsheet of ICE “opportunities,” the company’s term for potential contracts, and an internal brainstorming slide deck suggesting how AI agents could help ICE evaluate information sent to the agency’s tip line and improve investigations. The company was responding to an ICE request for firms to explain how they could help hire more agents and was hoping to land a paid contract.
San Francisco leaders, already outraged by Benioff's comments on the National Guard, were further upset upon learning that the homegrown tech company was actively pursuing contracts to aid the administration's immigration crackdown .
What Salesforce has to say
In a statement, the company noted that it has served the US government across multiple administrations and that all customers are bound by company policies requiring responsible product use. Salesforce has also contracted with ICE under the Obama and Biden administrations.
Salesforce is not alone; other tech companies, including Palantir, Microsoft, and IBM, also hold contracts with ICE to support its enforcement efforts under President Trump.
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