Target and ICE

A coalition of justice and religious organizations asked people to contact Target on February 11 to protest its cooperation with the assault on the people of Minneapolis by ICE and CBP. 

The following is my contribution, sent to the managers of the two Target stores closest to me. 

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February 11, 2026

To the Manager:

I can remember a time just a few years ago when I spoke to the manager of my local Target to thank them for resisting the fear mongers and bigots who were demanding the chain strip down all its LGBTQ+ clothing and items on display for Pride Month. 

I wish I could still visit the stores of that corporation, the one that had a tradition of advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, of Black and other nonwhite people, and of advocating for social and racial justice.

I don't know what happened to that company, I don't know just how or when the change occurred, but I do know it collapsed, it caved, as soon as the right wing and later the Trump White House turned its baleful glance in its direction. 

It scaled way back on its admired DEI programs. Its LGBTQ+ merch for Pride Month was stripped from the front of store, stuck all but hidden in the back - where there was any at all. (There was none in the particular store I mentioned at the top.)  

And now it has not only turned its back on those whose rights it previously championed, it has actively supported the denial of Constitutional and human rights to immigrants - including those lawfully present, not just the vilified "illegal aliens" - by allowing the violent thugs who have become the face of ICE and CBP to stage in its parking lots and standing silent in the harsh light of the racism and xenophobia of the current White House, as loudly declaimed by Stephen Miller, who in an undeniable echo of Hitler's henchmen, declared "America is for Americans and Americans only." 

I would wish to be able to add Target back on my list of places to shop. Right now, I can't. But you can help me take a step in that direction. I realize that you do not speak for the company but as a manager of a Target you are a, perhaps the, face of the company in this community. 

A number of organizations concerned with justice for immigrants have come together with a list of actions we wish to see Target take to disentangle itself from the noxious web of oppression in which it has ensnared itself. As part of that, people have been urged to express in some way on February 11 their concerns about Target's policies. This letter is my small act toward that end. 

I strongly urge you to pass on these demands (and if you wish a copy of this letter) to higher-ups in the company. Target should:  

- publicly call for an immediate end to the ICE “surge” into Minnesota and for ICE and the CBP to leave the state;
- affirm Target as a 4th Amendment Workplace, that is, exercise its 4th Amendment rights and publicly post signage denying entrance to immigration agents who do not have signed judicial warrants as required by law, as well train staff on how to respond when immigration agents arrive at stores;
- publicly call to shut down ICE and lobby Congress for no federal funding for ICE in the budget negotiations; and
- demand any federal officer who kills or harms a civilian be held legally accountable, starting with legitimate investigations and charges by local officials. 

I look forward to any response you wish to offer. My contact information is below.