Technology firms angered by Trump's immigration executive order

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Many in the US technology industry – which is a major employer of foreign workers – have been speaking out against President Donald Trump’s immigration executive order.

Airbnb said it would provide free housing to those stranded in other countries because they have not been allowed into the US.

Airbnb’s boss Brian Chesky said on Twitter: “Not allowing countries or refugees into America is not right and we must stand with those who are affected.”

If you would like to help temporarily house these people in need, sign up here: https://t.co/y0ctQprO3u

Thank you for your generosity! https://t.co/mIVOqZZ529— Airbnb (@Airbnb) January 30, 2017

Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick, who sits on Trump’s business advisory council, stepped up his criticism and pledged to compensate its drivers who were stuck overseas by the order.

“This ban will impact many innocent people – an issue that I will raise this coming Friday when I go to Washington for President Trump’s first business advisory group meeting,” Kalanick said.

Our CEO’s reaction to immigration order: “We’ll compensate drivers impacted by the ban pro bono for next 3 months.” https://t.co/meCT1ahEjH— Uber (@Uber) January 29, 2017

Kalanick’s initial failure to condemn the White House move had led to the launching of a #DeleteUber campaign, in which users responded by posting screenshots of themselves deleting the Uber app or their Uber accounts.

Consumers lash out at Uber and turn to Lyft after Uber’s immigration response https://t.co/q4oXcSzClJ pic.twitter.com/sabBdV3v7P— MarketWatch (@MarketWatch) January 30, 2017

Rival Lyft took advantage of the situation by putting out a strong statement against the immigration ban and announcing a $1 million (936,000 euros) donation to the American Civil Liberties Union.

3/ We are donating $1,000,000 over the next four years to the ACLU to defend our constitution. https://t.co/0umGOlkhSx— logangreen (@logangreen) January 29, 2017

Google’s CEO Indian-born US citizen Sundar Pichai set up a crisis fund for the more than 180 of its employees who are affected because they come from countries named in the order.

For generations, this country has been home to immigrants like Sanaz. Her story is playing out all over the country. Google is with you. https://t.co/mllnZ5gNDB— sundarpichai (@sundarpichai) January 29, 2017

“We’re concerned about the impact of this order and any proposals that could impose restrictions on Googlers and their families, or that could create barriers to bringing great talent to the US,” Google said in a statement.

Microsoft also has an Indian-born now US citizen at the helm, Satya Nadella. The company said 76 of its employees were citizens of the seven countries in question and held US work visas.

Nadella spoke out about the positive impact of immigration.

Our thoughts on yesterday’s U.S. Executive Order on Immigration https://t.co/XaVk2z1sQj on LinkedIn— Satya Nadella (satyanadella) January 28, 2017

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