Authoritarianism
Apple CEO Tim Cook Blasts Trump’s Muslim Ban: ‘Apple Would Not Exist Without Immigration’
Apple CEO Tim Cook became the latest tech industry leader to blast Donald Trump’s executive orders on immigration Saturday, saying that immigration has been essential to Apple’s corporate climate.
“Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do,” Cook wrote in an email to Apple staff.
“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.”
Cook quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the note: “In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, ‘We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now.’”
Trump’s executive order bans foreign nationals from seven predominantly Muslims countries – Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Libya – from entering the U.S. The immigration restriction are expected to stay in place for at least 90 days.
The Hill adds:
The Trump order also bars Syrian refugees from entering the U.S. indefinitely and halts all refugee resettlements for four months while official aim to tighten the vetting process, which is already the strictest in the world.
Read Cook’s entire letter to Apple employees, below:
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
