Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff made ICE jokes at an event, and some employees aren't happy

At a recent company event, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff found himself in hot water after making jokes about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which did not sit well with many employees. Internal communications reviewed by Business Insider reveal that during the 'Company Kickoff' held in Las Vegas, Benioff made several remarks related to ICE, including a quip about the agency surveilling employees' travel. Responses from the workforce were swift and critical. One employee expressed concern, highlighting the seriousness of the current climate where many are genuinely afraid to travel for work due to immigration issues. "It's hard to believe this company still has values when you make completely off-base jokes about ICE in your opening keynote," another employee lamented, raising questions about the company's ethos. The disappointment was palpable, with employees noting the insensitivity of making such jokes soon after welcoming colleagues who had traveled from abroad. One individual mentioned needing to take a break from the event to process the discomfort caused by the remarks. Previously, Benioff had stirred controversy by suggesting that the National Guard be deployed to San Francisco during the company's Dreamforce conference, for which he later issued an apology. This incident has sparked a broader conversation about corporate culture and the responsibilities of leadership in addressing sensitive topics.