Apple, Google, Amazon And Other Tech Giants Oppose Trump Visa Ban


06/24/2020



The decision of the United States President Donald Trump to suspend granting of visas to a section of foreign workers aimed at boosting jobs for Americans has been opposed by corporate America and companies in the tech sector and their well known leaders. That includes companies like Google and Tesla.  
 
The suspension of visas will be implemented starting June 24 and will continue till the need of the current year.
 
“Immigration has contributed immensely to America's economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today. Disappointed by today's proclamation - we'll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all,” said Sundar Pichai, Alphabet's chief executive officer, in a tweet.
 
“Immigration is central to America's story, and it's central to my own family's story. My family escaped danger and found a new home in America ... at Youtube, we join Google in standing with immigrants and working to expand opportunity for all,” tweeted Susan Wojcicki, the chief of Alphabet's YouTube.
 
Amazon, the largest e-commerce company of the world opposed the move calling the decision to be “short-sighted”. “Welcoming the best & the brightest global talent is critical to America's economic recovery. We will continue to support these programs & efforts to protect the rights of immigrants," the company said.
 
In 2019, the company was granted the highest number of H1B visa approvals at 3,026.
 
Apple Inc has also opposed the Trump administration move saying that just like Apple, diversity has been the strength of the US, which it described as a nation of immigrants, where everyone should have the opportunity to pursue the so called American Dream. The company’s chief executive Tim Cook tweeted: “There is no new prosperity without both. Deeply disappointed by this proclamation."
 
Box Inc’s CEO Aaron Levie tweeted: "This is unbelievably bad policy on every level. It will only mean more jobs move outside the US, and in no way makes America better or more competitive."
 
Similar sentiments were also expressed by Facebook Inc, the largest social media company of the world. The company said even though the Trump administration latest move has been made in the garb of Covid-019, in reality “the move to keep highly-skilled talent out of the US will make our country's recovery even more difficult. America is a nation of immigrants and our economy and country benefit when we encourage talented people from around the world to live, work and contribute here.”
 
Microsoft Corp has said that the current environment is not the right time for the administration to isolate the US from the global talent pool or to create an environment of uncertainty and anxiety. Reiterating the “vital role” played by immigrants at the company and the support given to the critical infrastructure of the country, immigrants are “contributing to this country at a time when we need them most," tweeted the company’s president Brad Smith.
 
US based electric car maker Tesla Inc’s CEO Elon Musk tweeted: "Very much disagree with this action. In my experience, these skillsets are net job creators. Visa reform makes sense, but this is too broad."
 
Uber Technologies Inc said that it believes immigration helps to fuel innovation and the latest decision taken by the Trump administration will be a disappointing one for people from all over the world. It will also hurt American businesses, the company said.
 
(Source:www.channelnewsasia.com)