American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten has initiated a nationwide back-to-school boycott of the retail giant Target, accusing the company of remaining silent on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Weingarten stated that Target had not condemned ICE activities in Minnesota, the location of the company's headquarters.
“We gave Target ample time to stand with the communities in which they operate and help their neighbors, but its silence about federal immigration abuses has been deafening,” Weingarten said in a statement. She further elaborated that masked ICE agents are still operating in communities, which she characterized as an “illegal and immoral assault on immigrants.” The AFT is encouraging its members to shop at alternative retailers.
Weingarten promoted the boycott through the AFT’s “Shop Smart, Not Target” website, which lists local back-to-school shopping alternatives. The AFT had previously sent letters to Target CEO Michael Fiddelke in February and March regarding the issue.
ICE, in a statement to Fox News Digital, rejected the AFT's portrayal of its operations. An ICE spokesperson clarified that the agency enforces federal immigration laws and that Target is not considered a sensitive location. The spokesperson added that ICE does not target schools and described the AFT's claims as a false narrative. The agency also stated that increased threats against ICE officers are linked to dangerous rhetoric from politicians and activists.
Concerns have been raised by some, including Corey DeAngelis, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, regarding the AFT's use of its members' pension funds to pressure Target. DeAngelis suggested that the AFT's members hold a significant number of Target shares, and he called for a federal investigation into whether the union is leveraging these assets and its political influence for political objectives, which he termed a potential breach of fiduciary duty.
Sonja Shaw, a candidate for California superintendent of public instruction and a school board president, criticized labor leaders for what she described as a focus on political power while students face academic struggles. She highlighted that a significant percentage of students in California are not proficient in basic math and English language arts.
The AFT's resolution in March officially called for the boycott, urging its 1.8 million members, their families, and allies to avoid Target until the company addressed concerns related to its perceived silence on immigration issues in the Twin Cities area.
Senator Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., also previously requested that the Department of Labor investigate whether AFT leaders coordinated with retirement plan fiduciaries to use member assets for political purposes. Additionally, House lawmakers have sought information on reports suggesting that member dues may have funded Weingarten’s book while she received royalties.