Randi Weingarten pushes Target boycott over ICE and sparks fresh fury

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten promoted a nationwide back-to-school boycott of retail giant Target over the weekend because the company had not condemned ICE operations in Minnesota — the location of its headquarters — prompting criticism from education advocates and a call for federal scrutiny.“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.“The issue could not be more pressing: Seven months since the murders of Alex Pretti and Renée Good, masked ICE agents are still in our streets, our schools and our communities, terrorizing families in the name of Donald Trump’s illegal and immoral assault on immigrants striving for their American Dream,” she continued.“That’s why we’re urging our members to avoid Target and patronize more ethical shopping alternatives this back-to-school season.”Weingarten also shared a video on Instagram, where she directed families to the AFT’s “Shop Smart, Not Target” website, which maps local back-to-school shopping alternatives.

The organization launched the campaign Wednesday after sending Target CEO Michael Fiddelke letters in February and March.In a statement to Fox News Digital, DHS rejected the AFT’s characterization of ICE.“ICE enforces federal immigration laws, protects public safety, and conducts enforcement pursuant to federal laws and applicable agency policies.Target is not a sensitive location,” an ICE spokesperson said.

“However, the current policy provides guidance for officers and recognizes that enforcement actions in or near protected areas require consideration of the circumstances and applicable law.ICE will continue to conduct lawful actions wherever necessary to protect the American people.”The spokesperson further said that ICE did not target schools and called AFT’s statement a fa...