14 DAY TRIAL // Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, PayPal, Twitter, Uber, and many others - a total of 97 major firms in the US - have decided to join forces to file an amicus brief opposing the Trump travel ban introduced two weeks ago.
Ever since the Trump travel ban affecting people from seven predominantly-Muslim countries was introduced two Fridays ago, tech firms have been looking for ways to make things better. They’ve set up funds to donate money to NGOs fighting the ban, they’ve set up funds to help employees who could no longer return to the United States, and they’ve joined lawsuits against the Trump administration.
Now, they’ve filed a brief with the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, stating that the companies believe the ban is unlawful, discriminates against people, and is harmful to businesses in the United States.
The Washington Post obtained a draft of the filing in which the companies that signed it put the focus on the contribution immigrants have brought to the US economy and the success of business across the United States.
“Immigrants or their children founded more than 200 of the companies on the Fortune 500 list, including Apple, Kraft, Ford, General Electric, AT&T, Google, McDonald’s, Boeing, and Disney. Collectively, these companies generate annual revenue of $4.2 trillion, and employ millions of Americans,” the filing reads, adding that between 2006 and 2010 immigrants opened nearly 30% of all new businesses in the country.
The letter also fights against the belief that immigrants are taking away jobs from Americans. “Immigrants do not take jobs away from U.S. citizens - they create them. Thus, immigration ‘expands the American work-force, and encourages more business startups’ - ensuring that businesses ranging from Apple Corporation to apple growers would be able to find the workers they need in America.”
Unlawful ban
The companies further explain that the ban is unlawful as it violates laws passed back in the 60s regarding discrimination. There’s also the fact that the Administrative Procedure Act requires government agencies, including the President, to issue notice and seek people’s comments before instating new rules, something that Trump has not done with its plethora of executive orders signed since his inauguration.
A judge overthrew the Trump travel ban, something that the administration has already appealed, hoping to reinstate it. The President has been all over Twitter throwing mud at the judge for not respecting the law and making threats. The Court of Appeals is expected to rule in the next few days.
As mentioned, companies have also chosen other ways to fight the travel ban. For instance, Google has set up a $4 million crisis fund to help those affected by the order, Lyft has donated $1 million, while Twitter added a bit more to that sum, directing the money towards the ACLU. Airbnb is promising to find a place to stay to those left stranded, while Uber is setting up a $3 million fund to assist the drivers who will no longer be able to work, including as legal fees.
The list of companies that signed the amicus brief includes Lyft, Pinterest, Yelp, Mozilla, Dropbox, Github, Kickstarter, Salesforce, Reddit, Square, Box, and more.