Trump’s Immigration Ban Unifies Entrepreneurs, Startups – 9 Announcements Which Shows Unity Against Trump
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning entry of Muslim refugees and US Green Card holders from 7 countries: Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya Somalia, and Yemen. This is being witnessed as an anti-immigration move by Trump, something which he promised during the election campaign.
Considering that US is a nation literally built by the hard work of immigrants, this move to ban immigrants hasn’t gone down well with startups, entrepreneurs based in the US as some of them are themselves immigrants and the others have been helped by immigrants to create billion dollar startups.
Here are 9 announcements from such entrepreneurs, startups which show solidarity against Trump’s diktat to ban immigrants from entering the US, and exhibit a rare unity against political establishment:
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Uber Offers Compensation For Immigrant Drivers
Travis Kalanick, founder of Uber with an estimated net worth of $6 billion has announced financial assistance for those immigrant drivers who can be affected by Trump’s immigration ban. In a Facebook post, he said, “We are working out a process to identify these drivers and compensate them pro bono during the next three months to help mitigate some of the financial stress and complications with supporting their families and putting food on the table.”
He also said that he will talk with President Trump and request him to reverse this order.
Airbnb Offers Free Housing For Banned Refugees
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has declared that his company will provide free housing to anyone who is ‘not allowed to enter the USA’. This is a strong statement coming from a company which is the 2nd highest valued startup in the US right now and had just posted their first major profit. In a tweet, he said, “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..”
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
He condemned this decision by Trump to ban refugees, as he said, “Not allowing countries or refugees into America is not right, and we must stand with those who are affected.”
Nathan Blecharczyk, one of the co-founders of Airbnb is a Polish immigrant.
Elon Musk Condemns Trump’s Immigration Ban
Tesla Founder Elon Musk has strongly condemned and opposed President’s Trump’s immigration ban order. In a series of Tweets, he expressed his displeasure over this decision.
Many people negatively affected by this policy are strong supporters of the US. They’ve done right,not wrong & don’t deserve to be rejected.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2017
Elon Musk is a South African-born Canadian-American business tycoon, currently aiming to change automobile and space industry forever. We wonder what would have happened if he was not allowed to enter the US.
Google Co-Founder: “I am Here Because I am A Refugee”
Google co-founder Sergey Brin’s family had fled Russia in 1979 to enter the USA and start a new journey. Reacting to President Trump’s immigration ban order, he emotionally said, “I’m here because I’m a refugee,”
He actually joined protesters at San Francisco International Airport opposing Trump’s order.
Google Raises $4 million To Help Refugees
After Trump’s diktat banning entry of refugees in US, Google has raised more than $4 million to help refugees who are now stuck in the middle. This donation would be given to American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), International Rescue Committee (IRC) and UN High Commissioner for Refugees / UN Refugee Agency (UNHR).
LinkedIn Will Help Refugees To Get Jobs
In a blog post, Linkedin has announced they will expand their refugees assistance program immediately, and help them to get jobs inside US. In association with International Rescue Committee, Linkedin will provide skill training and job hunting assistance for refugees who are inside US.
Appreciation the role which immigrants played in building America, they said, “Indeed, our country was built in large part by the work of immigrants and their descendants – and like our foremothers and forefathers, refugees are seeking that same opportunity to contribute.”
Starbucks Will Hire 10,000 Refugees
Meanwhile Starbucks has announced that they will hire 10,000 refugees across the world in the next 5 years.
Viber To Offer Free Calls For Refugees:
Messaging app Viber has announced free calling facility for refugees from those 7 countries which has been banned by Trump. In a Tweet, Viber said,
We connect people – no matter where they’re from. Calls to any landline or mobile between and are now free.
— Viber (@Viber) January 30, 2017
Viber said that these free calls are being provided “so that those affected will now have one less barrier to cross when trying to reach their loved ones.”
In related news, Apple CEO Tim Cook has said that Apple wouldn’t have existed without immigrants. In a letter to all employees, he said, “Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do.I have 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.”
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