US Tech Firms File Legal Brief in Opposition of Trump Immigration Ban
- Monday, February 6th, 2017
- Share this article:
President Donald Trump continues to face backlash, following on from his immigration ban, from all corners of the tech world. This time, 97 companies have filed a legal brief opposing Trump’s immigration ban in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The amicus curiae, literally meaning ‘friend of the court’, brief shows support for the state of Washington et al. in their legal battle with Trump over the immigration ban. The brief includes the support of tech giants like Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, alongside many others from various sections of the tech industry.
“Immigrants make many of the Nation’s greatest discoveries, and create some of the country’s most innovative and iconic companies. Immigrants are among leading entrepreneurs, politicians, artists, and philanthropists,” the brief says.
“The Order effects a sudden shift in the rules governing entry into the US, and is inflicting substantial harm on US companies. It hinders the ability for American companies to attract great talent; increases costs imposed on business; makes it more difficult for American firms to compete in the international marketplace; and gives global enterprises a new significant incentive to build operations – and hire new employees – outside of the US.”
There are a few notable names missing from the list including Amazon and Tesla. Amazon, however, has already filed its own lawsuit against the Order, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk still remains on part of Trump’s economic advisory council – as he announced, while Uber CEO Travis Kalanick was departing from his own role on the council.
Recently, Trump also faced opposition from New York tech leaders. A letter sent to Trump on 30 January, with signatures from the tech industry from those standing against the immigration ban, is 60 pages long.
UPDATE: Elon Musks Tesla and SpaceX have both now signed the amicus brief, joining the 97 companies which originally filed it.