Microsoft ‘shares the concerns’ over Trump’s executive orders

Microsoft has issued a memo to employees following an executive order from President Donald Trump restricting refugees from seven countries, noting that “our goal as a company is to provide you with legal advice and assistance,” and that affected employees with questions should reach out to its Corporate, External and Legal Affairs team. 

In a statement to Business Insider, a Microsoft spokesperson said that “we share the concerns about the impact of the executive order on our employees from the listed countries, all of whom have been in the United States lawfully, and we’re actively working with them to provide legal advice and assistance.”

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella posted a note to LinkedIn containing the memo, stating that as an immigrant and as the company’s CEO, he has “both experienced and seen the positive impact that immigration has on our company, for the country, and for the world. We will continue to advocate on this important topic.” 

The memo, authored by Brad Smith of Microsoft’s Corporate, External and Legal Affairs team (CLEA), notes that the company is aware of 76 employees who are from Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Syria Yemen, or Libya, and in the country on travel visas. Smith also notes that there could be other employees who are from these countries who have green cards, and that they should reach out for assistance if they have questions. 

Smith explains that the company “believes in a strong and balanced high-skilled immigration system,” but that it supports a programs such as the Deferred Access for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. He went on to explain that Microsoft will continue to advocate for these issues. Yesterday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted that he had concerns about the impact of the executive orders, while earlier this morning, Google ordered its affected staff back to the United States. 

The article was published on : theverge