Apple CEO Concerned about US Immigration Policies

Apple CEO Tim Cook told employees that he is concerned about US immigration policies. He has also promised to lobby politicians on the issue.

Cook used an all-staff meeting to tell workers they should not feel afraid to leave their homes, and immigration is important to Apple because many employees require visas to work in the US. He said that such diversity in its workforce is a longstanding asset for Apple.

Various news outlets reported that Cook faced intense backlash from employees after attending a premiere of a documentary by Melania Trump. Cook defended attending the premiere by saying he spoke with President Donald Trump about immigration policies and also called for the de-escalation of enforcement measures. Apple employees criticised Cook for his limited and delayed response to the shootings in Minnesota in an initial memo.

During the staff meeting,  Cook said he would advocate for employees in the US as part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows people who moved to the country as children to remain through work permits. President Trump has consistently labelled DACA an illegal amnesty program and expressed intentions to terminate it.