Google, Facebook show tech dismay on Trump immigration order

Alphabet Inc.’s Google asked staffers who may be affected by a new executive order on immigration to return to the US quickly, joining a growing number of technology executives voicing concerns over restrictions that could interfere with how they do business. Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai slammed American President Donald Trump’s move in a note to employees Friday, telling them that more than 100 company staff are affected by the order. Microsoft Corp. said it’s in touch with 76 staffers from the seven countries identified in the executive order. “It’s painful to see the personal cost of this executive order on our colleagues,” Pichai wrote in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by Bloomberg News. “We’ve always made our view on immigration issues known publicly and will continue to do so.” The comments underscore a growing rift between the Trump administration and several large US technology companies, which employ many immigrants and have lobbied for fewer immigration restrictions. Facebook Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg voiced concern over the policy on Friday, and Airbnb Inc. CEO Brian Chesky said Saturday in a tweet that “closing doors further divides” people. Twitter Inc. CEO Jack Dorsey said in a tweet Saturday the order’s “humanitarian and economic impact is real and upsetting”. Uber Technologies Inc. CEO Travis Kalanick said Saturday he plans to outline his misgivings with the order at the first meeting of the Trump administration’s business advisory group next Friday in Washington. (Mark Bergen and Eric Newcomer/Bloomberg)