Microsoft’s Satya Nadella Stands Up To Trump, Says No To DACA Dismantling

The Trump administration has earned a reputation for being hostile to immigrations of any kind, taking a hardline stance on both legal and illegal entry into the US. One of the government programs that is currently on the chopping block is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which protects immigrant children from deportation. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently expressed strong words against its dismantling.

The DACA and the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors(DREAM) act are programs enacted during the Obama era to ensure that minors brought into the country, whether legally or illegally can receive the same care as US citizens. This means access to schools and even jobs, once they come of age, which Nadella noted in a blog post leads to innovation.

“As a CEO, I see each day the direct contributions that talented employees from around the world bring to our company, our customers and to the broader economy. We care deeply about the DREAMers who work at Microsoft and fully support them. We will always stand for diversity and economic opportunity for everyone. It is core to who we are at Microsoft and I believe it is core to what America is,” Nadella’s post reads.

In a separate post, Microsoft chief legal counsel Brad Smith also made the company’s position on the abolishment of the DACA and the DREAM acts clear. The software giant is of the firm belief that it would be a detriment to the US if both these programs were to be gutted in any way.

“Our country will also lose the tremendous talent of these individuals. DACA recipients bring a wide array of educational and professional backgrounds that enable them to contribute in crucial ways to our nation’s workforce. They are part of our nation’s universities and work in every major industry. They are artists, advocates and health care providers. They help meet the needs of our communities and our companies,” Smith wrote.