Google, Microsoft express concern over Trump’s EO, Y Combinator boss says ‘it’s time’

Technology companies Google and Microsoft, along with others, have expressed displeasure over US President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration. Leaders from Silicon Valley’s top companies have spoken out after Y Combinator boss said it’s time.

Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin hit the Francisco International Airport last month to join hundreds of protesters who are against the travel ban. He told a CNN reporter that he was taking part of the protest because he is a refugee.

In a statement, Google expressed concern about the impact of the much talked about executive order. “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 US,” it said.

Just like the co-founder of Google, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella is an immigrant too. Nadella has taken to LinkedIn to express his thoughts about the travel ban. “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,” he wrote.

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has also taken a stand about the issue, saying it is not one he supports. “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,” he said in an email to employees.

President Sam Altman, of Y Combinator, a company which Fortune has called “a spawning ground for emerging tech giants,” has urged tech companies to speak up about the new executive order. “It is time for tech companies to start speaking up about some of the actions taken by President Trump’s administration,” Altman said.

Altman has clarified that he is not against safety and rules. But he believes that broad-strokes actions targeted at a specific religious group is not the ideal way to ensure national security. Instead, it is a step toward a further reduction in rights.

The leaders of the abovementioned tech companies are specifically against an executive order on immigration titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry to the United States.” The ban closes down the arrival of people from Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen into the United States.

The travel ban is likely to affect tech businesses as it involves their own employees working in the United States legally. Per Engadget, an estimated 750,000 people were recently allowed to work legally under the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA, or Dream Act) program. With the new executive order on immigration, this group is at risk of losing their status to work legally in the United States.

The companies' competitive quest for talent may be put at risk. Based on a data from the US Department of Labour, it is expected that there will be about 1.4 million computer specialist job openings by 2020. The problem is U.S. universities will only be able to produce enough graduates to fill 29 percent of those jobs.

Judge James L Robart has resorted to block the travel ban to which Trump has expressed dismay. “If something happens blame him and court system,” Trump tweeted.