Google’s Sundar
Pichai issued a memo to U.S.-based Googlers currently working or holidaying
abroad to return to the U.S. as soon as possible, for fear that they will be
blocked from returning Stateside. The directive came yesterday, as President
Trump signed an executive order shutting down entry to the U.S. for citizens of
Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Somalia and Yemen.
Several Googlers
have reportedly already been blocked from re-entering the States, despite
holding valid visas or green cards. Trump’s executive order is currently only
for 90 days, but that number could change depending on the results of the White
House’s investigation into the visa application procedures of the countries
listed above.
Google, Facebook
and other tech companies have expressed concern at the new order, which, besides
affecting current employees from foreign countries, may also severely limit
their ability to recruit top talent from the named countries. Up to 100
Googlers currently outside the U.S. may be affected by the no-entry order.
In the memo, Pichai
said “It’s painful to see the personal cost of this executive order on our
colleagues” and in a subsequent statement, a Google spokeswoman continued:
We’re concerned
about the impact of this order and any proposals that could impose restrictions
on Googlers and their families, or that create barriers to bringing great
talent to the U.S... We’ll continue to make our views on these issues known to
leaders in Washington and elsewhere.
Immigration
lawyers are reportedly advising anyone holding a passport from one of the
countries listed above from traveling outside the U.S. in the next three months.
Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg also expressed “concern” over the executive order on
Friday and Microsoft warned it “may inhibit our ability to adequately staff our
research and development efforts”.
source : www.androidauthority.com
