AFT Launches Boycott of Target Over Silence on ICE Enforcement

The second-largest teachers' union in the United States has launched a boycott campaign against retailer Target, criticizing the company for remaining silent on immigration enforcement. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), led by President Randi Weingarten, initiated a nationwide boycott of Target. The AFT took issue with the fact that Target did not state its position on federal immigration enforcement, despite having an opportunity to stand with the community or help neighbors. The union attempted dialogue over a sufficient period of time, including sending letters to Target CEO Michael Fiddelke in February and March.

Weingarten claimed that masked ICE agents remain on streets and in schools, terrifying families, even seven months after the deaths of Alex Prett and Rene Good. He stated that this boycott is part of actions against President Donald Trump's illegal and immoral immigration policies.

The AFT instructed its members to avoid Target and use more ethical shopping alternatives. The union provided action guidelines by introducing the 'Shop Smart, Not Target' website via Instagram and other platforms, which displays a map of alternative stores in the area.

In response, a spokesperson for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the enforcement activities are measures to enforce federal immigration laws and protect public safety. The spokesperson refuted the AFT's claims as a 'false narrative,' stating that ICE does not target schools. ICE also cited statistics showing a 1,300% increase in assaults on agents and an 8,000% increase in murder threats, emphasizing that they are not going to schools to arrest children but to protect them. However, they added a caveat that arrests may occur in situations involving public safety, such as when a dangerous foreign felon flees to a school or a child sex offender works at a school.

This boycott campaign is being conducted in time for the new school semester preparations. Weingarten requested that people use alternative shopping options instead of Target. Weingarten guided families to the 'Shop Smart, Not Target' campaign site, which contains an alternative shopping map, via an Instagram video, and the video is spreading online.