Randi Weingarten launches nationwide Target boycott over ICE concerns

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), has launched a nationwide back-to-school boycott against Target. The campaign, titled ‘Shop Smart, Not Target’, encourages members to seek alternative retailers.

The AFT initiated the boycott following claims that Target has failed to condemn Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota, where the retailer is headquartered. Weingarten stated that the company’s silence regarding federal immigration enforcement constitutes a failure to support the communities in which it operates.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to the criticism by defending ICE's actions, stating that the agency enforces federal laws to protect public safety. A spokesperson for ICE noted that Target is not a sensitive location and that enforcement actions are conducted according to applicable law and agency policies.