UPDATE: The amicus brief against Trump’s executive order to ban immigrant entry into the United States has now been officially filed. It has already been spotted by ArsTechnica, and you’s be surprised to know that as much 97 U.S technology giants are supporting this brief. It has gained support from the likes of Google, Apple, Facebook, eBay, Microsoft, Netflix, Intel, Twitter, and Uber. The said brief is the fruit of their collective efforts against the administration.
Also, Reuters reports that consumer goods companies like Levi Strauss and Chobani have also backed this brief. But, there’s an immediate lack of participation from technology behemoths including HP, Oracle, and Amazon. But Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has already expressed his stance on the subject matter and is planning to lodge a lawsuit of their own against the administration. Talking about the same, an Amazon spokesperson has said that the e-commerce giant has been a core part of the Attorney General’s action since the beginning. Amazon has been busy with its own filing in support of the original lawsuit. Thus, it preferred not to join the amicus since they’re a witness in the original lawsuit, adds the spokesperson.
The amicus brief has been filed against the Justice Department’s appeal to reinstate the controversial travel restrictions. The bans had been temporarily removed by a Washington District Judge, who’s since received much backlash from the U.S President (read more below). With regards to the same, the amicus brief reads,
The Order represents a significant departure from the principles of fairness and predictability that have governed the immigration system of the United States for more than fifty years. The Order inflicts significant harm on American business, innovation, and growth as a result.
Further, the said brief filed by technology behemoths mentions that the executive order abandons the principals of tolerance, equality, and openness. This ban is also being viewed as a violation against the U.S immigration laws, the Constitution and a detrimental act towards the development of business operations locally and internationally. With regards to the same, the brief says,
It [executive order] hinders the ability of American companies to attract great talent; increases costs imposed on business; makes it more difficult for American firms to compete in the international marketplace; and gives global enterprises a new, significant incentive to build operations — and hire new employees — outside the United States.
Also, this executive order has not only caused immigrants to face problems while entering the United States but also caused employees from other nations to simply shift elsewhere. The brief even argues that the order can be seen as hostile by other nations, who might simply want to break any partnerships and return home. Mayer Brown partners Andrew Pincus and Paul Hughes representing these band of technology companies have further added,
Of course, the federal government can and should implement targeted, appropriate adjustments to the nation’s immigration system to enhance the Nation’s security.
But a broad, open-ended ban–together with an indication that the ban could be expanded to other countries without notice–does not fit the goal of making the country more secure. Instead, it will undermine American interests.
For those interested in reading the complete draft of the amicus brief, please scroll down to the very bottom for the attached document.
PREVIOUSLY: Ever since the signing of an executive order to ban entry of immigrants to the United States, technology giants have been invested in voicing their concerns against this unjust decision. With regards to the same, Twitter, Netflix and others are planning to file an amicus brief with the federal appeals court, reports Bloomberg.
This development comes on the heels of recent oppositions against President Donald Trump by technology behemoths, who’ve extended a helping hand to those in need. The tech companies, including Google, Uber, Twitter, Microsoft, Lyft, and others have donated to non-profit law organizations in their own capacity. This brief is an opposition against the executive order that prevents refugees and immigrants from entering the U.S, if they belong to these seven Muslim-majority countries — Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan.
The brief filing, whose language was taking final shape earlier today, has reached the Ninth U.S Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. It will see participation from more than just a handful of U.S tech bigwigs, who’ll oppose President Trump for his actions against immigrants. An amicus brief, for those unaware, is a legal document that is filed by non-litigants who have a strong interest in the subject matter. These are filed in appellate court cases and advise them on additional information which they might wish to consider.
The technology giants will collectively voice their views on the importance of immigrants in the development of their economy and society. They’ll highlight the contribution of immigrants towards the technology space, while also calling the order as discriminatory. According to a draft of the amicus brief, the companies plan to voice their words saying,
Immigrants make many of the Nation’s greatest discoveries and create some of the country’s most innovative and iconic companies.
For decades, stable U.S. immigration policy has embodied the principles that we are a people descended from immigrants, that we welcome new immigrants, and that we provide a home for refugees seeking protection.
At the same time, America has long recognized the importance of protecting ourselves against those who would do us harm. But it has done so while maintaining the fundamental commitment to welcoming immigrants — through increased background checks and other controls on people seeking to enter our country.
Further, Twitter and Lyft have already confirmed their participation in this amicus brief filing. Other tech companies who will reportedly be signing the brief include Square, Salesforce, Airbnb, Uber, AppNexus, and others. This collective plans to argue that the said executive order hurts the society as well as American businesses, which Trump plans to support with upcoming reforms.
Also, this development also comes after a District Judge had temporarily passed an order lifting the ban on immigrants signed by the Trump administration. This freed refugees and immigrants from the seven Muslim-majority countries who were stuck in their home countries or at the airport to step foot on U.S soil once again. Even the airlines started taking in passengers from these countries over the weekend. And the restrictions on this immigration ban were declined to be reinstated over the weekend, which infuriated the so-called President of the United States and he tweeted,
The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017
Tech Companies’ Amicus Brief Opposing Trump Immigration Ban by Mikey Campbell on Scribd
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