"Minnesota CEOs break silence on ICE surge, killings" 25 Jan. 2026

The chief executives of Minnesota’s largest businesses banded together Sunday to pen an open letter calling for an “immediate de-escalation” of the violence in the state.

... It marks a notable shift for Minnesota’s top employers that had previously remained quiet about the surge of immigration officials in the state and the killing of Renee Good. The letter called Saturday’s killing of Alex Pretti “tragic.” Pretti is the second U.S. citizen and Minnesota resident to be killed by federal agents during the immigration enforcement surge.

... Hundreds of Target workers sent a letter on Jan. 23 to CEO Brian Cornell and other company leaders condemning the retailer’s response to social issues and the presence of federal immigration officers in Minnesota. U.S. Border Patrol agents detained employees at a Richfield Target store.

... The Minneapolis-based company did not respond to a request for comment.

... UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Hemsley sent an internal message to workers on Jan. 25 calling for “peaceful de-escalation,” although he did not directly mention the fatal shooting in Minneapolis.

... In early January, federal immigration officers detained a worker at a General Mills plant in Chanhassen.

At that time, a spokesperson for the company said in a statement: “Our team requested ICE agent identification, followed all our safety protocols and partnered with local law enforcement.”

... The business leaders said their companies have worked “for generations to build a strong and vibrant state here in Minnesota” and that they “will do so in the months and years ahead with equal and even greater commitment.”

The “recent challenges,” the leaders said, “created widespread disruption and tragic loss of life.”