Corporate America remains silent amid ICE raids and protests
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles County have led to public unrest, with Home Depot and Waymos as the backdrop.
Why it matters: Corporate America's muted reaction is in stark contrast with the way it responded to protests during the first Trump administration.
Catch up quick: Protests broke out on Friday near a Home Depot in the LA County city of Paramount, after ICE agents carried out a deportation operation targeting day laborers.
- The Trump administration ordered National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to quell protests over the objections of local and state officials.
- Mayor Karen Bass imposed a curfew on downtown LA to curb vandalism and looting, which in the previous days led to Waymos being set on fire.
- Anti-deportation protests took place nationwide in cities including San Diego, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago and New York.
What they're saying: Home Depot directed inquiries to ICE and wouldn't expand when asked how the retail giant was supporting stores, employees and customers.
- Waymo suspended service in Los Angeles. A spokesperson told Axios that "safety is our highest priority ... both for people who choose to ride with us and with whom we share the streets. We are in touch with law enforcement and will retrieve our vehicles at the appropriate time."
Zoom in: Small businesses raided by ICE have issued statements in support of detained employees and members of their communities.
- ICE agents raided a local San Diego restaurant Buona Forchetta on May 30, and three employees were taken away when they couldn't show identification, Axios San Diego's Andrew Keatts reports.
In response, the local restaurant issued a public statement on its Instagram account.
- "The way [the raid] unfolded was nothing short of traumatic," the statement read. "We are devastated and heartbroken. At this moment, our priority is not public perception or headlines. Our priority is our people. We are working closely with our attorneys to locate and support our detained employees and their families. ... We are also deeply moved by the outpouring of support from our community."
- Nearby businesses have shown their support through statements and donations, and the community has led ICE protests in response.
Between the lines: Trump's 2017 immigration policies and travel bans prompted many CEOs taking a political stance. Now, however, corporate America has recalibrated to strategic silence.
Yes, but: Moments arise when companies should be prepared to comment, and they must have a plan in place, says Paul Argenti, professor of corporate communications at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business.
- "If you think about it conceptually, what is in it for a company to go up against Donald Trump? Zero, nothing ... unless it's an issue connected to you directly or there is a strategic need to comment."
- "So as it relates to Home Depot [executives], the raids and protests happened right in front" of their store, Argenti said. "How did they not comment on it? Customers, employees and community members will expect to hear from them. There's just no way [they] can get away without saying anything."
- It's an example of why all corporate communications teams need to anticipate being dragged into societal or political matters, he added.
The big picture: Even given the penchant for silence, stakeholders expect business leaders to engage on matters that affect employees, customers or the business.
- A recent Axios Communicators Pro-Gravity Research survey found business leaders feel the most pressure from employees (69%) as it relates to engaging on immigration policies.
- 31% say they feel pressure from policymakers, while 15% say shareholders and customers demand engagement on the issue.
What we're watching: The reaction in the coming days or weeks to ongoing "deportation wars" could signal corporate America's current appetite for wading into political crosshairs. It's either the moment corporate America begins to engage or continues to retreat.
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