Apple CEO Tim Cook has weighed in on US President Donald Trump’s immigration ban, citing that Apple does not support the policy.
Following US President Donald Trump signing of an executive order issuing an immigration ban on individuals from Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, Apple CEO Tim Cook has issued an internal memo to company employees detailing that Apple does not support the policy.
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First shared to MacRumors by an Apple employee, the letter details not only Cook’s view on the policy, and clarifies that Apple’s HR, Security, and Legal teams are in contact with employees affected by the policy.
The letter reads:
Team,
In my conversations with officials here in Washington this week, I’ve made it clear that Apple believes deeply in the importance of immigration — both to our company and to our nation’s future. Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do.
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.
There are employees at Apple who are directly affected by yesterday’s immigration order. Our HR, Legal and Security teams are in contact with them, and Apple will do everything we can to support them. We’re providing resources on AppleWeb for anyone with questions or concerns about immigration policies. And we have reached out to the White House to explain the negative effect on our coworkers and our company.
As I’ve said many times, diversity makes our team stronger. And if there’s one thing I know about the people at Apple, it’s the depth of our empathy and support for one another. It’s as important now as it’s ever been, and it will not weaken one bit. I know I can count on all of you to make sure everyone at Apple feels welcome, respected and valued.
Apple is open. Open to everyone, no matter where they come from, which language they speak, who they love or how they worship. Our employees represent the finest talent in the world, and our team hails from every corner of the globe.
In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, “We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now.”
Tim
Trump’s executive order suspends the entry of all refugees for 120 days, blocks citizens of Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, and Yemen for 90 days, and placed an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees.
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