Salesforce Staff Demand Benioff Address ICE Joke at Town Hall

Employees challenge CEO's controversial comments about US immigration agency

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Salesforce employees are calling on CEO Marc Benioff to publicly address a controversial joke he made about US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a recent company town hall event. The incident sparked a heated debate among staff on the company's Slack channels, leading to an open letter seeking Benioff's response about the remarks.

Why it matters

Benioff's comments about ICE, a federal agency that has faced intense scrutiny over its immigration enforcement policies, have touched a nerve with Salesforce's workforce. The backlash highlights the growing influence employees have in pressuring tech leaders to take stances on social and political issues.

The details

During the opening keynote of Salesforce's annual Company Kickoff event in Las Vegas, Benioff made a joke about ICE that some employees found offensive. The details of the exact statement are unclear, but it reportedly prompted a heated discussion among staff on the company's internal Slack channels. An open letter was then circulated, signed by numerous Salesforce workers, demanding that Benioff address the matter publicly.

  • The incident occurred during Salesforce's Company Kickoff 2015 event on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

The players

Marc Benioff

The CEO of Salesforce, one of the most recognizable tech executives in Silicon Valley.

Salesforce employees

The workforce at Salesforce who are challenging Benioff's comments about ICE and calling for him to respond publicly.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing influence that tech employees have in pushing their companies and leaders to take stances on social and political issues, even when those issues may be controversial. Benioff's comments about ICE have struck a nerve, and Salesforce's workforce is demanding accountability and a public response from their CEO.