A coalition of anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activists, led by marketing strategist Scott Galloway, is advocating for a month-long boycott of major technology companies. The campaign, which begins on February 1, aims to leverage consumer spending power to influence U.S. immigration policy amidst escalating tensions surrounding the Trump administration’s enforcement tactics.
Galloway, a professor at New York University known for his pointed critiques of Big Tech, argues that traditional protests often fail to spur tangible change. He suggests that economic pressure on corporations such as OpenAI, Amazon, and Microsoft may be more effective. His call to action encourages consumers to unsubscribe from services like ChatGPT, cancel Amazon Prime, and stop using Microsoft Office. Galloway stated, “We’re proposing something quieter and less cinematic than a protest that will run all day on cable TV, but much more disturbing to the Trump administration.”
The strategy focuses on shareholder valuations, which Galloway believes are crucial for influencing political action. Many tech executives, including Tim Cook and Andy Jassy, have established close ties with the Trump administration, often attending events and donating to his campaign. Galloway posits that a significant drop in these companies’ revenue could resonate through Washington, potentially impacting immigration policy.
In recent months, protests against ICE have intensified, particularly following the deaths of two individuals, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, allegedly at the hands of federal agents. Demonstrations in cities like Minneapolis have drawn thousands, with activists capturing incidents of what they describe as excessive force on social media. As a response, the Department of Homeland Security has made limited concessions, including the demotion of a Border Patrol commander and assurances from President Trump regarding the reduction of federal agents in Minnesota.
Yet, the situation remains complex. While some actions have been taken, the acting director of ICE has simultaneously expanded the agency’s powers for warrantless searches, as revealed by an internal memo obtained by The New York Times. Galloway argues that such contradictions highlight the limitations of conventional protests, stating, “Real change always comes from the American people, not from our political parties. But power doesn’t fear protests nearly as much as economic withdrawals.”
The boycott initiative offers a new approach to activism, testing whether consumer resistance can be more impactful than street protests in the ongoing fight against ICE. As the February boycott approaches, it remains uncertain whether the public will fully embrace this strategy and how effective it will be in applying pressure to the Trump administration’s policies.
The growing scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics indicates that the pressure on this issue is not diminishing. Activists hope that a concerted, sustained effort to withdraw support from major tech firms will compel a reevaluation of the current immigration strategies employed by the government.
