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Apple CEO Tim Cook on Immigration Executive Order: 'It is Not a Policy We Support'

Saturday January 28, 2017 1:10 pm PST by Juli Clover
timcookApple CEO Tim Cook today sent an email to employees speaking out against the immigration executive order that United States President Donald Trump signed yesterday afternoon. In the letter, shared with MacRumors by an Apple employee, Cook says Trump's order is "not a policy we support."

Cook goes on to say that Apple's HR, Legal and Security teams are in contact with all Apple employees who are affected, and he says Apple has "reached out" to the White House to "explain the negative effect" on the company. Cook's full letter is below:
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
Cook's letter addresses the immigration executive order signed by Trump on Friday, which suspends entry of all refugees to the United States for a total of 120 days, bans Syrian refugees for an indeterminate amount of time, and blocks citizens of seven countries (Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Syria, and Yemen) from entering the United States for 90 days. The order has left immigrants stranded at airports around the country and has sparked panic and outrage among tech companies with affected employees.

The letter comes after Cook spent a week in Washington, where he met with Utah senator Orrin Hatch to discuss the economy and tech industry and had dinner with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. While Cook did not meet with President Trump during the trip, back in December, he and several other tech leaders like Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk sat down with Trump to discuss a range of topics including trade and immigration.

Though Apple has butted heads with Trump over the past few months after Trump suggested he would force the company to build its products in the United States instead of overseas, Cook explained to employees that he attended the summit to "influence these issues" because "being on the sideline" is not "a successful place to be."

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tag: Tim Cook
[ 1280 comments ]


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b0nd18t
35 months ago

So, did he support the summary execution of foreign nationals via drone? How about US citizens?

Why does Cook have to say anything at all? Is he going to make a statement about every Executive Order now?


It was an email sent to employees who look to him for guidance and leadership. This action directly affects the company. Get it now?
Rating: 200 Votes
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JPLC
35 months ago
Just focus on your products Tim. No need to drag Apple into every political issue.
Rating: 158 Votes
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usarioclave
35 months ago
So, did he support the summary execution of foreign nationals via drone? How about US citizens?

Why does Cook have to say anything at all? Is he going to make a statement about every Executive Order now?
Rating: 157 Votes
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Porco
35 months ago


Why does Cook have to say anything at all? Is he going to make a statement about every Executive Order now?


First of all, he can say what he likes, because freedom of speech. Similar to your right to comment on MacRumors if you like (within forum rules).

Also:

"There are employees at Apple who are directly affected by yesterday's immigration order."

Maybe you missed that bit.
Rating: 156 Votes
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macmee
35 months ago

Perhaps he should resign and run for president. Apparently all you need is a phone and a pen a heather you are Obama or Trump.

President Cook can SJW all he wants and be the source of leadership and guidance then.


You've completely missed the point.

The executive order hurts some Apple employees, and Tim, being their boss, sent them an email saying "look, you are my employee and I support you and will try and help you".

How does that make him a SJW? :S

Also Obama has a law degree from harvard, which is a little more than just a phone and a pen.....
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Why why is a temporary freeze on immigration to properly inspect the vetting process a problem? Cook should spend more time thinking about Apple's products.


And less time thinking about his own employees????????

lol?????
Rating: 84 Votes
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appleisking
35 months ago
Why why is a temporary freeze on immigration to properly inspect the vetting process a problem? Cook should spend more time thinking about Apple's products.
Rating: 82 Votes
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macmee
35 months ago

Just focus on your products Tim. No need to drag Apple into every political issue.


it's a political issue that negatively hurts his employees which is probably why he's coming out against it.
Rating: 79 Votes
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iTom17
35 months ago
I applaud President Trump's action. Not because I hate immigrants, but because I think it's important to find out who's actually coming into your country. If you let in every single person blindly, you're only putting your people at risk. And one of the primary jobs of the leader of a country, is to keep his people safe. And by signing this executive order, Trump (or at least those who are in charge of the nation's security) is given time to find out who they really are.

It's controversial, I get that. Especially since America has been the country of the free etc. etc. And it's not something I would support all the time. Not at all, in fact. But if this can help the Trump administration to come up with ideas to make America safe again (or to speak for the liberals: to keep America safe), I believe it's the best way. It's only temporary after all..

By the way, I do think green card holders should be allowed to enter the United States, because, well... it's a green card, right? Don't think he will, but Trump should definitely change the order to allow those people.

Oh, this letter to me sounds a bit whiny, to be honest. Mr. Cook should focus on his products, not politics.
Rating: 66 Votes
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jkcerda
35 months ago

It was an email sent to employees who look to him for guidance and leadership. This action directly affects the company. Get it now?

as opposed to the actions listed in post 2? shame democrats are only anti war & pro liberty when republicans are in power.
Rating: 66 Votes
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chumpy34
35 months ago

Why why is a temporary freeze on immigration to properly inspect the vetting process a problem? Cook should spend more time thinking about Apple's products.


Why? Because there are now families ripped apart from this executive order from our racist and idiotic president. Permanent green card citizens who left on a trip overseas are now prevented from returning home to their families or have to go on a case-by-case basis. The horrors of this decision by Trump is so far-reaching and damaging. I am overjoyed that Tim and Apple stand up for these issues and I wish more companies had the balls to do so...
Rating: 56 Votes

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