After executives at many tech companies spoke out in opposition to President Donald Trump’s ban on travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, the biggest names in the industry are coming together to draft a letter formally expressing their opposition to the president, according to a report from Recode.
The joint message is reportedly being worked on by Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon among others. Firms from other sectors including finance, manufacturing, energy and consumer goods are also being encouraged to sign on, though it remains unclear which companies will lend their name to the completed draft.
The companies involved in the effort hope to release the open letter later this week, but there are still modifications being made to the document and it may never see the light of day, according to a source speaking to Bloomberg.
“We share your goal of ensuring that our immigration system meets today’s security needs and keeps our country safe,” a draft of the letter obtained by Recode reads. “We are concerned, however, that your recent executive order will affect many visa holders who work hard here in the United States and contribute to our country’s success.”
The letter also states, “Our nation’s compassion is a part of what makes it exceptional,” and calls the United States, “a nation made stronger by immigrants.”
In its current form, the letter includes a promise from the signatories to help the administration identify better security and screening methods to help ensure safety. “While security and vetting procedures can and should always be subject to continuous evaluation and improvement, a blanket suspension is not the right approach,” it reads.
There is also mention made of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which grants undocumented immigrants who entered the United States as minors the ability to defer deportation and gain a work permit.
The rule may be revoked under a Trump administration, and the letter from U.S. businesses offers to help find a way to grant clarity to the future of the DREAMers protected by DACA.
Tech companies were particularly outspoken when President Trump signed the executive order that barred Syrian refugees from seeking refuge in the U.S. and placed a 90-day ban citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen from entering the country. Several companies—including Google, Apple and Microsoft—reported having employees affected by the action.
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