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

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.

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Top Rated Comments

b0nd18t Avatar
110 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?
Score: 200 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPLC Avatar
110 months ago
Just focus on your products Tim. No need to drag Apple into every political issue.
Score: 158 Votes (Like | Disagree)
usarioclave Avatar
110 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?
Score: 157 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Porco Avatar
110 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.
Score: 156 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macmee Avatar
110 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?????
Score: 84 Votes (Like | Disagree)
appleisking Avatar
110 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.
Score: 82 Votes (Like | Disagree)