Dear Editor,
Since February, community members nationwide have organized to demand elected leaders return campaign donations from Palantir, the data and surveillance company whose software powers ICE’s mass deportation agenda. So far, 14 officials in Colorado, California, Illinois and Minnesota have agreed to donate the funds back.
As Newton residents, we were shocked to learn our congressman, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, accepted over $25,000 from Palantir executives. We’ve rallied at his office, and hundreds have called and emailed—but he hasn’t acted. His office says his voting record speaks for itself, that donations don’t equal influence.
We’re glad he voted against new ICE funding and has called for clawing back the agency’s $75 billion budget, calling it an “instrument of fear” But that instrument runs on Palantir’s technology. Over a decade of DHS contracts—now more than half its revenue—have made Palantir’s software central to ICE’s operations nationwide. Accepting money from the company or its executives tacitly supports that agenda; keeping it means standing on the wrong side of history.
Massachusetts has a strong history of protecting working families. Senators Warren and Markey have taken no Palantir money. Brookline is a sanctuary town; Newton is a Welcoming City. Auchincloss’s seat was once held by Barney Frank and Joe Kennedy III. Yet he’s now the only member of the Massachusetts delegation still holding Palantir donations—a black mark on his record.
Newton Indivisible believes in organizing for our neighbors when they can’t speak for themselves. Elected officials must act consistently with their values. Rep. Auchincloss must donate his Palantir funds today.
Sincerely,
Lynn Weissberg, Newton Centre
Nadine Cohen, Newton Highlands
Suzanne Sankar, Newtonville
Members of Newton Indivisible