Target Issues Guidance for Team Members During Federal Agent Activity Near Stores

1. Prioritize safety and follow on‑scene instructions

If federal agents are present and give immediate commands, follow them to keep yourself and guests safe. Safety of team members and customers takes precedence; do not physically obstruct agents or attempt to detain anyone. If there is an imminent threat to life or property, call 911 immediately and then notify your store leader and Corporate Security.

2. Notify your store leader and escalate to corporate security

As soon as it is safe, inform your store leader or on‑duty manager about the presence of federal agents and the specifics of their activity. Your store leader should escalate to Target Corporate Security using the store’s emergency contact protocol so corporate teams can coordinate legal and communications support. If you do not have the direct corporate security number at hand, use your store’s emergency contact list or the internal escalation flow you review at leadership meetings.

3. Ask for agency identification and legal paperwork; record details

If federal agents request employee or customer information, ask for agency identification, badge numbers, and written legal process such as a warrant, subpoena, or court order. Write down agent names, badge numbers, agency affiliation (ICE, CBP, Border Patrol or other), date and time, and exactly what was requested. Clear, contemporaneous documentation is essential for Corporate Security and the legal team.

4. Do not volunteer employee or customer records without legal process

Do not provide personnel files, payroll records, contact information, surveillance footage, or other protected records unless presented with a valid subpoena or warrant authorizing release. Direct agents to request documents through Corporate Security or the Legal team if they do not have proper legal process. This preserves employee privacy and ensures requests are handled per company policy and applicable law.

5. Handle surveillance and footage requests through Loss Prevention and Legal

If agents ask for video or other store surveillance, do not remove or hand over footage yourself. Notify Loss Prevention and Corporate Security immediately so footage can be secured and reviewed; Legal will determine whether a lawful process obligates release. Maintaining the integrity of footage helps with internal review and avoids accidental disclosure.

6. Protect customer and team‑member privacy on the sales floor

Do not make statements to customers, guests, or agents about a team member’s immigration status, citizenship, medical information, or employment details. Limit public communication: calmly explain that leadership and Corporate Security are handling the situation, and direct media inquiries to Corporate Communications. Preserve confidentiality for everyone involved until corporate guidance is provided.

7. Timekeeping and scheduling when activity disrupts shifts

If federal agent activity prevents you from working your scheduled shift, clock your time per normal procedures and notify your store leader immediately about the interruption. Store leaders should follow established call‑out and scheduling rules and consult People (HR) for questions about pay, schedule adjustments, timekeeping corrections, or potential administrative leave. People Team will advise on any accommodations or pay‑related policies that apply.

8. Support affected team members and offer resources

Team members who are directly contacted or impacted may need support; store leaders should connect them to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and People Team resources. If team members need time off to seek legal advice, medical care, or counseling, leaders should escalate to People for guidance on applicable leave or accommodations. Promptly share internal resource links and contact numbers so affected peers can access help.

9. Communication and media protocol

Do not speak to reporters or post about the incident on social media; redirect all media and public inquiries to Corporate Communications. Store leaders and team members should only share factual, limited statements authorized by corporate. Centralized communications reduce risk of misinformation and help protect the privacy and safety of team members and guests.

10. Document the incident and submit required reports

After the incident, compile a clear report that includes times, agent names and affiliations (ICE, CBP, Border Patrol, etc.), what was requested, who was present, and any materials taken or reviewed. Submit that report through the store’s incident reporting channel and escalate a copy to Corporate Security and Legal so the company can respond appropriately and track patterns. Accurate documentation supports legal review and any follow‑up assistance for team members.

11. Prepare your store: training, contacts, and emergency plans

Local leaders should review and update emergency contact lists, ensure loss prevention and management know escalation steps, and run tabletop exercises that include how to handle requests from federal agencies. Confirm that all managers have access to Corporate Security and People contact information and that team members know the basic rule: prioritize safety, notify leadership, and don’t provide records without legal process. Regular drills and clear contact lists reduce confusion during real incidents.

12. Guidance for interactions involving former team members

If federal agents ask about a former team member, direct them to Corporate Security and Legal rather than providing information from memory or personal files. Former employees’ records are still subject to legal protections; Corporate Security will coordinate any lawful requests and confirm whether documentation exists and may be released. This ensures requests about former team members are handled consistently and legally.

13. When to call 911 vs internal escalation

Call 911 immediately if there is an immediate danger to life, active violence, or a situation that requires urgent police or medical response. For non‑emergency law enforcement requests or presence at the store perimeter, follow internal escalation to store leadership and Corporate Security first so corporate teams can manage privacy, legal process, and communications. Use both channels as appropriate: public safety first, corporate coordination second.