The U.S. technology industry hit back on Saturday at President Donald Trump’s sudden executive order on immigration. Leaders of top tech companies like Apple , Google and Facebook emailed their staff to denounce the suspension of the U.S. refugee program and the halting of arrivals from seven Muslim-majority countries.
Here is how the top bosses from the Silicon Valley reacted to the ban:
1. Nearly 200 Google employees are directly impacted by the measures, according to an internal memo from CEO Sundar Pichai.
“We’re concerned about the impact of this order and any proposals that could impose restrictions on Googlers and their families, or that could create barriers to bringing great talent to the US,” said the head of the internet giant.
For generations, this country has been home to immigrants like Sanaz. Her story is playing out all over the country. Google is with you. https://t.co/mllnZ5gNDB
— sundarpichai (@sundarpichai) January 29, 2017
2. Uber Technologies Inc CEO Travis Kalanick, who has faced criticism from some employees for participating in President Trump’s business advisory council, said in a statement that the company would compensate drivers from the seven countries who might not be able to return to the United States for three months or more.
3. Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook sent a letter to employees saying Trump’s order was “not a policy we support” and promised to help affected employees.
“We have reached out to the White House to explain the negative effect on our coworkers and our company,” Cook added.
4. Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky said: “Not allowing countries or refugees into America is not right and we must stand with those who are affected.”
Airbnb is providing free housing to refugees and anyone not allowed in the US. Stayed tuned for more, contact me if urgent need for housing
— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) January 29, 2017
Open doors brings all of US together. Closing doors further divides US. Let’s all find ways to connect people, not separate them.
— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) January 28, 2017
Not allowing countries or refugees into America is not right, and we must stand with those who are affected.
— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) January 29, 2017
Airbnb will provide free housing to anyone not allowed into the United States, Chesky said.
5. Microsoft Corp President and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith said in a company-wide email posted on LinkedIn that 76 company employees were citizens of the seven countries in question and held U.S. work visas, and thus were directly affected by the order.
CEO Satya Nadella also shared the post through his Twitter account.
Our thoughts on yesterday’s U.S. Executive Order on Immigration https://t.co/XaVk2z1sQj on @LinkedIn
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) January 28, 2017
6. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings in his Facebook post stressed that employees of his company were getting affected by Trump’s actions. Urging for strength and togetherness, Hastings claimed it was a “sad week.”
7. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey while calling the executive order as “upsetting” said that the country benefits from what refugees and immigrants bring when they enter US.
The Executive Order’s humanitarian and economic impact is real and upsetting. We benefit from what refugees and immigrants bring to the U.S. https://t.co/HdwVGzIECt
— jack (@jack) January 28, 2017
Twitter is built by immigrants of all religions. We stand for and with them, always.
— Twitter (@Twitter) January 29, 2017
8. Facebook Inc CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a post on Friday that was “concerned” about the order and voiced support for immigrants.
(With inputs from agencies)
(Feature image source: Reuters)
