Salesforce Employees Blast CEO Marc Benioff Over 'Cruel' ICE Jokes

Benioff's controversial remarks at company event spark internal revolt over immigration comments.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has faced significant backlash from employees after making controversial jokes about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the company's annual kickoff event in Las Vegas. Benioff's attempts to poke fun at the presence of ICE agents and suggest that employees who didn't use certain software tools could attract the attention of immigration authorities were widely condemned by staff as 'cruel,' 'tone-deaf,' and a betrayal of the company's values. Employees have circulated an open letter demanding a formal apology and reaffirmation of Salesforce's commitment to protecting its diverse workforce.

Why it matters

Benioff's comments have struck a nerve with Salesforce employees, many of whom see the jokes as trivializing the genuine fears and anxieties faced by immigrant communities, including their own colleagues and loved ones. The backlash highlights the widening disconnect between Benioff's political posturing and the progressive values embraced by Salesforce's workforce, which has previously challenged the company's leadership on ethical grounds.

The details

During his keynote address, which was broadcast globally, Benioff reportedly quipped that ICE agents were positioned at the back of the room while asking international attendees to stand and be recognized. This comment drew faint boos from the audience. Benioff later doubled down with a 'callback' joke, suggesting that employees who had not utilized a specific Slackbot tool might also find themselves targeted by the immigration enforcement agency. He also made a disparaging remark about Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance, further alienating some staff members.

  • On Tuesday, Benioff made the controversial remarks during Salesforce's annual kickoff event in Las Vegas.
  • In October 2025, Benioff courted controversy by expressing 'full' support for President Donald Trump and suggesting the National Guard should be deployed to San Francisco.

The players

Marc Benioff

The Chief Executive Officer of Salesforce, who has faced significant internal backlash over his controversial remarks about ICE at the company's annual event.

Salesforce

A leading cloud-based software company that has faced internal turmoil over its CEO's comments, which many employees have condemned as 'cruel' and 'tone-deaf'.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that Benioff joked about, which many Salesforce employees feel he trivialized and which represents genuine fears and anxieties for immigrant communities, including some of the company's own staff and their families.

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What’s next

Salesforce employees have reportedly drafted and circulated an open letter to Benioff, demanding a formal apology and a reaffirmation of the company's commitment to protecting its diverse workforce.

The takeaway

Benioff's controversial comments have exposed a widening rift between the CEO's political posturing and the progressive values embraced by Salesforce's workforce, which has a history of challenging the company's leadership on ethical grounds. This incident highlights the delicate balance that tech leaders must strike between business objectives and the concerns of their employees, especially on sensitive issues like immigration.