ollowing an executive order by newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump, immigrants and visitors from seven countries have been banned from the country for 90 days. In what appears to be a more-or-less united front, several technology firms have expressed disapproval of the order, including the popular homestay network Airbnb.
Following these developments, Brian Chesky, chief executive of Airbnb, tweeted that people in urgent need of accommodations may contact him directly. Chesky said, “Not allowing countries or refugees into America is not right and we must stand with those who are affected.”
Not allowing countries or refugees into America is not right, and we must stand with those who are affected.
— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) January 29, 2017
Airbnb is providing free housing to refugees and anyone not allowed in the US. Stayed tuned for more, contact me if urgent need for housing
— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) January 29, 2017
Chesky, through Twitter, also stated that, “Open doors brings all of U.S. together. Closing doors further divides U.S. Let’s all find ways to connect people, not separate them.”
The executive order signed by President Trump halted the entire U.S. refugee program. It instituted a 90-day travel ban into the U.S. for various nationals, specifically Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. It’s also interesting to note that these are mostly Islamic countries.
(Read also: Trump's ban dashes hope for many asylum-seekers)
This also sparked dismay among technology firms who employ a fair number of Arab and South Asian immigrants.
Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings said, “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.”
Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Uber have also expressed how the 90-day ban is hurting their respective businesses. Microsoft in particular issued a letter which offered legal assistance to its affected employees.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg declared his stand through a post on the social media platform last Friday, saying, “My great grandparents came from Germany, Austria and Poland. Priscilla’s parents were refugees from China and Vietnam. The United States is a nation of immigrants, and we should be proud of that.”
“We need to keep this country safe, but we should do that by focusing on people who actually pose a threat,” Zuckerberg explained. “Expanding the focus of law enforcement beyond people who are real threats would make all Americans less safe by diverting resources, while millions of undocumented folks who don’t pose a threat will live in fear of deportation.”
The technology industry has always been known for welcoming of talent from various backgrounds and nationalities. Long-term repercussions following the Trump travel ban can be expected, making it quite understandable that a lot of people, including the visionaries of the tech industry, are seriously concerned.
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.