During his campaign, President Donald Trump promised a ban on all Muslims coming into the United States and a registry for those currently in the country. His proposed plans were based on the popular, but often unsubstantiated, idea that Muslim people are behind all terror attacks in the United States.
However, in the days following Election Day, a press release with his proposed plans disappeared from the campaign site, only to reappear a few days later. President Trump, at the time, refused to clarify his stances and elaborate on what his plans looked like.
On Friday, the country saw what was the closest legislation to a Muslim ban: an executive order signed by President Trump barring entry into the country for 90 days from seven primarily Muslim countries—Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
This week, D.C.'s technology and startup community is speaking out. From entrepreneurs worried about leaving the country to VCs stating definitively that they do not stand for the ban, here is what DC Tech has to say about Trump's restrictions on refugees:
Shahier Rahman, campus director at 1776 DC
Rahman told DC Inno that, personally, as a Muslim American entrepreneur, he wouldn't be here if it weren't for the openness of former President Ronald Regan in the 1980s when his parents immigrated to the states.
He says a few members at 1776 have been impacted—whether in terms of where they travel to and from or in terms of the refugee-based ideas they have for their startups.
"All this ban does, all this policy from the White House does, is put a giant cold shoulder to all of those entrepreneurs around the world who look at America as a place for a welcoming environment."
"This is a lost opportunity in the sense that this country was founded on entrepreneurs and those entrepreneurs were usually from somewhere else. When you put together a policy that says you're not welcome here, that means you're limiting yourself to the talent and creative genius that you can find in places that are experiencing trauma like they are in the Middle East. Only when you are facing those traumas do you think of those amazing ideas..."
"The tech community as a whole, this has been their wake up moment on the Trump administration. It's one of those moments where you can see the true colors of the tech world. What do we stand for? Do we stand for diversity?"
Sama Dizayee, founder of JCO and 1776 member
Dizayee was supposed to fly out to London on Thursday. But as an Iraqi citizen, she decided to cancel her trip out of fear that she would not be allowed to re-enter the country. She called Virgin Airlines to cancel her trip and receive a refund, and Dizayee says the airline responded, at first, saying "It is not their fault," and she would not be receiving a refund. In response, she tweeted out a thread about her experience.
After receiving a lot of response on social media, Virgin Airlines called her back, said they have since researched the new executive order and offered a full refund. She is now researching airlines and their stances on the executive order.
"It's also worth mentioning that I am currently fact checking President Trump's latest tweet about "big problems at airports were caused by .... protesters,". So far I have received confirmations from Dulles Airport, Chicago O'Hare, and Boston Logan Airport that no incidents, detains, or arrests took place during the travel ban protests past weekend."
Evan Burfield, co-founder and CEO of 1776
Burfield posted on Medium Monday afternoon saying that 1776 does not stand for the executive order barring refugees from entering the country. With an office in Dubai, 1776 prides itself on its global partnerships. Later, Burfield told DC Inno it was not clear how the restrictions would affect their partnerships moving forward.
"We are still assessing any logistical impact this might have for our startups or employees around the world. But more broadly we intend to continue to build a global community that judges people on the basis of their ideas and the strength of their character, rather than their nationality, religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation."
Melanie Kahn, advocacy campaign director at Phone2Action
D.C.-based Phone2Action is providing a free tool for anyone who wants to contact their lawmakers via phone, tweet, email or Facebook. Kahn assisted with the tool and has been down at one of D.C.'s airports to help those down there.
“When human rights are at stake in our country it is no longer a spectator sport. We all have a part to play. For me that means using my legal education to help those in need. The scenes at the airports are heartbreaking, but it is inspiring to see so many people in legal profession stepping up to help.”
Vikrum Aiyer, former White House senior policy advisor for innovation, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
One year ago, Aiyer said he had the honor of briefing a guest of former First Lady Michelle Obama's to the State of the Union. The First Lady's guest was a refugee scientist, and Aiyer says he was briefing him on how he can use the American patent system to grow his ideas into American opportunity. Today, he says, someone who looks like him will be detained at the airport, barred from entry.
"But also this weekend, a contagious force—as resilient as the story of our country itself—stands taller than any wall one man seeks to build. The children of immigrants, linking arms with the hopes of refugees, linking arms with the tolerance of all religions, unequivocally declare: we are the ones putting America first.
So in the end, when you preclude the ability for a wide tapestry of diversity and thought to be let into the country—we inhibit the ability for new innovations, new insights, and new ingenuity to take root here and sprout good jobs and economic growth. Leaving economic progress like that on the table hurts the U.S. And to do so in a way that doesn't accompany rigorous vetting among cabinet agencies in order for those Departments to implement the order consistently is suboptimal."
Kendall Tucker, Polis
Tucker put out the following general statement in response to the immigration restrictions.
"Although we are a non-partisan company, we have decided to offer our canvassing software and data free to U.S. organizations whose mission statements focus exclusively on helping immigrants, supporting refugees and/or defending Muslim Americans until President Trump's executive order is repealed.
The reason for doing this is because President Trump's executive order banning immigrants from certain countries means that Americans will have fewer conversations and meet fewer people which directly contradicts our mission to connect people with the organizations they care about."
Entertainment Software Association
The D.C. based trade organization put out the following statement about the restrictions. The Entertainment Software Association represents the U.S. video game industry, which generated $30.4 billion in revenue, according to the association.
"The Entertainment Software Association urges the White House to exercise caution with regard to vital immigration and foreign worker programs. As a leading force in technology and exporter of entertainment, the U.S. video game industry thrives on the contributions of innovators and storytellers from around the world. While recognizing that enhancing national security and protecting our country’s citizens are critical goals, our companies rely on the skilled talent of U.S. citizens, foreign nationals, and immigrants alike. Our nation’s actions and words should support their participation in the American economy."
G. Nagesh Rao, Eisenhower fellow
Rao declined to speak publicly on the restrictions; however, he has tweeted out the following quotes in response to the Executive Order.
Society that puts its privileges above its principles soon loses both... -President Eisenhower cc @EF_Fellows
— G. Nagesh Rao (@GNageshRao) January 28, 2017
Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg
