Apple Considers Taking Legal Action Against Trump’s Immigration Order

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Apple is reportedly considering taking legal action against President Trump’s immigration-focused executive order in an effort to put pressure on the administration to reverse course, according to a new report.

On Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook told the Wall Street Journal that he’s been in contact with “very, very senior people in the White House.” There’s no word on what kind of action Apple will take, but Cook said that the company wants to be “constructive and productive” — and that it was a “simple decision” to oppose the travel ban.

“More than any other country in the world, this country is strong because of our immigrant background and our capacity and ability as people to welcome people from all kinds of backgrounds,” Cook said in an interview with the WSJ.

The executive order restricts entry to the U.S. for “immigrants and nonimmigrants” from seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days, halted refugee admission for 120 days, and placed an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria entering the country, according to the White House’s press release. Cook said that the travel ban has affected hundreds of Apple employees.

“Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do,” Cook wrote in an email sent to Apple employees over the weekend and obtained by Business Insider.

The Cupertino-based tech giant isn’t the only company to threaten legal action against the executive order. This week, both Amazon and Expedia backed a lawsuit filed Monday by Bob Ferguson, Washington State’s Attorney General. Google and Microsoft have also expressed concerns about the immigration ban, according to CNN.

Cook said that he heard of “heart-wrenching stories” from Apple employees in the wake of the executive order, according to The Hill. In the email to Apple staff members, he reiterated that it “is not a policy we support,” and that Apple’s HR, legal and security teams are in contact with employees affected by the ban.

“Apple is open. Open to everyone, no matter where they come from, which language they speak, who they love or how they worship. Our employees represent the finest talent in the world, and our team hails from every corner of the globe” he added in the email.

Featured Image: Christoph Dernbach—Getty Images / Reuters
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