5 Tech CEOs Slamming Trump's Immigration Ban

The Tech World Responds

As an industry that depends heavily on immigrant workers, the tech world is reacting strongly to President Trump's move on Friday to ban travelers to the U.S. from seven countries, all of which have majority Muslim populations. CEOs of major U.S. tech companies have responded by speaking out against Trump's immigration orders and taking measures to help soften the blow.

Here are the responses from five CEOs of top tech companies.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai

In a memo to Google staffers, Pichai wrote, "It's painful to see the personal cost of this executive order on our colleagues. We’re upset 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 U.S."

On Friday, Pichai ordered Google staff members traveling abroad to return to the U.S., and said at least 187 employees could be stopped from entering the U.S. Google also created a $4 million fund -- $2 million from the company itself and $2 million donated by employees -- to support organizations that are responding to President Trump's immigration orders.

Apple CEO Tim Cook

Cook said in an email to Apple staff that "Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do." He continued, "I've heard from many of you who are deeply concerned about the executive order issued yesterday restricting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries. I share your concerns. It is not a policy we support.

"Apple is open. Open to everyone, no matter where they come from, which language they speak, who they love or how they worship," Cook wrote. "In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, 'We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now.'"

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella

Nadella wrote on LinkedIn that, "As an immigrant and as a CEO, I’ve both experienced and seen the positive impact that immigration has on our company, for the country, and for the world. We will continue to advocate on this important topic."

Nadella also shared an email to Microsoft employees from Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith, which read in part, "We’re aware of 76 Microsoft employees who are citizens of these countries and have a U.S. Visa and are therefore affected by this new order. We’ve already contacted everyone in this group."

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick

Kalanick Sunday said Uber will launch a $3 million fund to support the legal defense of drivers affected by President Trump's "wrong and unjust" immigration order. In an email sent to drivers and posted on Facebook, Kalanick wrote that Uber will "urge the government to reinstate the right of U.S. residents to travel -- whatever their country of origin -- immediately" and will take other measures, including compensating drivers for lost earnings.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg

On Facebook, Zuckerberg noted that his wife's parents were refugees, and his great grandparents were immigrants. "We need to keep this country safe, but we should do that by focusing on people who actually pose a threat. Expanding the focus of law enforcement beyond people who are real threats would make all Americans less safe by diverting resources, while millions of undocumented folks who don't pose a threat will live in fear of deportation," he said.

Zuckerberg added, "We are a nation of immigrants, and we all benefit when the best and brightest from around the world can live, work and contribute here. I hope we find the courage and compassion to bring people together and make this world a better place for everyone."