Home Depot has responded to boycott calls, after We Ain’t Buying It, a self-described “economic action and solidarity campaign” called for a boycott of the home improvement chain for what it described as “allowing and colluding with ICE to kidnap our neighbors on their properties.”
In an email shared with Newsweek, a Home Depot spokesperson said, “We aren’t coordinating with ICE or Border Patrol.”
Newsweek has contacted We Ain’t Buying It outside of regular working hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Boycotts are a form of protest that involves putting financial pressure on individuals or organizations and have contributed to progressive social change throughout history.
Since the onset of the second Trump administration, calls for boycotts of numerous big name American companies have become common online, as activist groups have called for promoting corporate accountability, restoring diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and reshaping corporate influence over U.S. economic policies.
The impact of said boycotts, though, is debatable. Though there have been reports of some companies experiencing a drop in foot traffic in stores, it is unclear whether there has been a tangible, negative impact on the companies being boycotted.
What To Know
From November 27 through to December 1st , We Ain’t Buying It is calling for a boycott of Home Depot, Target, and Amazon. A post on their website about the boycott action reads, “This action is taking direct aim at Target, for caving to this administration’s biased attacks on DEI; Home Depot, for allowing and colluding with ICE to kidnap our neighbors on their properties; and Amazon, for funding this administration to secure their own corporate tax cuts.”
Newsweek has contacted Target and Amazon for comment via email.
In response to this, a spokesperson for Home Depot told Newsweek that they “aren’t notified that immigration enforcement activities are going to happen,” and that they “aren’t involved in the operations.”
ICE raids have increased across the country since President Donald Trump returned to office, as federal officials carry out the administration’s hardline immigration policies. Trump campaigned on a tough immigration stance and to carry out the largest mass deportation in American history.
Cities and other places around the U.S. have been impacted by this. Home Depot’s name has been thrown into the mix as the company’s locations across the country have seen an increase in raids.
The Associated Press reported that Home Depot stores have become something of a hub for both legal and illegal immigrants seeking work as laborers, and reported that earlier this year Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, mentioned Home Depot as a target for immigration raids.
What People Are Saying
A spokesperson for Home Depot, in an email shared with Newsweek: “We aren’t notified that immigration enforcement activities are going to happen, and we aren’t involved in the operations. We aren’t coordinating with ICE or Border Patrol. We’re required to follow all federal and local rules and regulations in every market where we operate.”
Christopher Web, a social media user who describes himself as a “Lifelong Dem,” in a post on X viewed over 160,000 times: “These posters started popping up ahead of next week’s We Ain’t Buying It boycott. From Nov 27-Dec 1, folks are stepping back from Target, Home Depot, and Amazon. People are done being squeezed, so they are using the leverage of their wallets.”
A post on Instagram from We Ain’t Buying It, Eliza Orlins, and threepointfivepercent: “What local businesses are you supporting this weekend instead of Target, Amazon, and Home Depot? Tag them in the comments so we can boost each other’s favorites. This Black Friday weekend, I’m not spending a dime at those big three. I’m redirecting my money to the people and places that actually strengthen our communities.”
What’s Next
Activist organizations like We Ain’t Buying It and People’s Union USA are continually sharing lists of companies they’re boycotting, as consumer-driven boycotts continue.
