US tech giants recall overseas workers home, decry Trump’s entry ban

Leading technology companies are recalling overseas employees and sharply criticising US President Donald Trump after he signed an executive order barring for 90 days immigrants and visitors from seven Muslim countries from entering the United States.

The companies warned the action - which affects foreign-born immigrants with legal permanent residence status in the United States and also includes suspending the acceptance of refugees for 120 days - could impair the ability of America’s top companies to compete.

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai late on Friday ordered scores of staffers travelling overseas to return to the United States immediately. Pichai sent out a company-wide memo that was highly critical of Trump’s action, saying it could prevent at least 187 foreign-born Google employees from entering the United States.

“It’s painful to see the personal cost of this executive order on our colleagues,” wrote Pichai.

“We’re upset about the impact of this order and any proposals that could impose restrictions on Googlers and their families, or that could create barriers to bringing great talent to the US.”