In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, US President Donald Trump has suspended H-1B, L and other temporary work permits allowing immigrants to work in the United States till the end of this year.?
As per Trump, the move was aimed at protecting local workers facing unemployment due to the spread of the novel coronavirus. The US technology industry, however, has not taken well to the decision.
Apple Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tim Cook is one of those who have expressed their disappointment at the US government's move. In a recent tweet, Cook mentioned how there would be no prosperity without diversity in the US and that he is ¡°deeply disappointed¡± with the proclamation.
"Like Apple, this nation of immigrants has always found strength in our diversity, and hope in the enduring promise of the American Dream," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a tweet on Tuesday.
Tim Cook is not the only one against the H1B visa ban. Google CEO Sundar Pichai as well as Tesla CEO Elon Musk also disagreed with the visa ban.
Pichai¡¯s tweet on Tuesday took a similar tone as that of Cook¡¯s. Pichai mentioned how immigrants have been huge contributors to America's economic success over the years.
"Immigration has contributed immensely to America's economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today," Pichai said in his tweet.
Even Elon Musk, an outright Twitter star known to not mince words on the microblogging platform, responded with a bit more critique. On Tuesday, Elon Musk tweeted that he disagreed with the visa ban. He wrote that while ¡°Visa reform makes sense,¡± an outright ban was too broad for the country.
A major portion of the workforce hired by such technology and automobile giants in the US comes from outside the US.?
As per a report by MoneyControl, there are about 4 lakh H-1B and 1 lakh L-1 Indian visa holders in the US.