The business community is far from silent in response to President Trump’s Executive Order halting refugee resettlement and banning immigrants from certain Middle Eastern countries.
Some businesses immediately posted their responses on social media, celebrating the American ideals of diversity, religious freedom, and inclusiveness.
Here’s a round up of what people are saying:
On Twitter:
- Airbnb: Airbnb is providing free housing to refugees and anyone not allowed in the US.
- Twitter: Twitter is built by immigrants of all religions. We stand for and with them, always.
- Tesla: The blanket entry ban on citizens from certain primarily Muslim countries is not the best way to address the country’s challenges. Many people negatively affected by this policy are strong supporters of the US. They’ve done right, not wrong & don’t deserve to be rejected.
- Etsy: We are a nation of immigrants, and are stronger for it. I oppose excluding people from US based on their nationality or religion, period.
- Dropbox: Executive orders affecting world’s most vulnerable are un-American. Dropbox embraces people from all countries and faiths.
On Facebook:
- Netflix: Trump’s actions are hurting Netflix employees around the world, and are so un-American it pains us all. Worse, these actions will make America less safe (through hatred and loss of allies) rather than more safe…It is time to link arms together to protect American values of freedom and opportunity.
- Facebook: We should also keep our doors open to refugees and those who need help. That’s who we are.
In other instances, company CEOs emailed heart-felt messages to employees, concerned about the immigration ban’s impact on company culture and talent and many offering legal assistance.
- Apple: 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.
- Google: It’s painful to see the personal cost of this executive order on our colleagues. We’ve always made our view on immigration issues known publicly and will continue to do so…We’re concerned about the impact of this order and any proposals that could impose restrictions on Googlers and their families, or that create barriers to bringing great talent to the U.S….We’ll continue to make our views on these issues known to leaders in Washington and elsewhere.
- Microsoft: We believe the executive order is misguided and a fundamental step backwards. There are more effective ways to protect public safety without creating so much collateral damage to the country’s reputation and values.”
- Amazon: This executive order is one we do not support… We’re a nation of immigrants whose diverse backgrounds, ideas, and points of view have helped us build and invent as a nation for over 240 years. No nation is better at harnessing the energies and talents of immigrants. It’s a distinctive competitive advantage for our country—one we should not weaken. To our employees in the U.S. and around the world who may be directly affected by this order, I want you to know that the full extent of Amazon’s resources are behind you… We are working other legal options as well.
- Uber: We’ve always believed in standing up for what’s right. Today we need your help supporting drivers who may be impacted by the President’s unjust immigration ban…Here’s what Uber will do: Provide 24/7 legal support for drivers who are trying to get back into the country. Our lawyers and immigration experts will be on call 24/7 to help; Compensate drivers for their lost earnings. This will help them support their families and put food on the table while they are banned from the US.
Several businesses pledged funds—and some a commitment to hiring refugees—to help fight for those affected by the ban.
- Starbucks: There are more than 65 million citizens of the world recognized as refugees by the United Nations, and we are developing plans to hire 10,000 of them over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business. And we will start this effort here in the U.S. by making the initial focus of our hiring efforts on those individuals who have served with U.S. troops as interpreters and support personnel in the various countries where our military has asked for such support.
- Lyft: We created Lyft to be a model for the type of community we want our world to be: diverse, inclusive, and safe. This weekend, Trump closed the country’s borders to refugees, immigrants, and even documented residents from around the world based on their country of origin. Banning people of a particular faith or creed, race or identity, sexuality or ethnicity, from entering the U.S. is antithetical to both Lyft’s and our nation’s core values. We stand firmly against these actions, and will not be silent on issues that threaten the values of our community. We know this directly impacts many of our community members, their families, and friends. We stand with you, and are donating $1,000,000 over the next four years to the ACLU to defend our constitution. We ask that you continue to be there for each other – and together, continue proving the power of community.
Many more companies released statements that refuse to support this policy.
- Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola Co. is resolute in its commitment to diversity, fairness and inclusion, and we do not support this travel ban or any policy that is contrary to our core values and beliefs.
- Nike: This is a policy we don’t support…Nike stands together against bigotry and any form of discrimination.
- HP: Regardless of economic and political circumstances, part of our core values is to support our employees and their families. Our first priority is to identify the affected people we have across the globe and to determine how best to support them. We are dedicated to diversity and inclusion and have been doing business in 170 countries for over 70 years and look forward to continuing to do so.
- Intel:As a company co-founded by an immigrant, we continue to support lawful immigration. We will continue to provide any impacted employees with Intel’s full support.
We applaud these efforts to make clear America is welcoming to refugees and immigrants of all faiths and backgrounds. Human Rights First is fighting back against this executive order, offering pro bono legal assistance to refugees and pressing Congress and the administration to revoke the order.
