Ford criticizes immigration order: ‘Against our values’

Ford Motor Co. said Monday that it does not support President Trump’s 90-day ban on travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations, arguing that the policy goes against a “core value” of the company.

The comments come nearly a week after Ford and other U.S. automakers had what was described as a positive meeting with Trump, who had bashed the companies on the campaign trail and on Twitter for their investments in Mexico.

“Respect for all people is a core value of Ford Motor Company, and we are proud of the rich diversity of our company here at home and around the world,” said Executive Chairman Bill Ford and President and CEO Mark Fields in a joint statement. “That is why we do not support this policy or any other that goes against our values as a company.”

Fields, who visited the White House twice last week, was named to the administration’s manufacturing jobs initiative.

{mosads}The automaker added that it is not aware of any Ford employees directly affected by the new policy but said, “We will continue working to ensure the well-being of our employees by promoting the values of respect and inclusion in the workplace.”

Trump issued a sweeping executive order on Friday barring refugees for 120 days and immigrants traveling from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen from entering the United States for the next 90 days.

The executive order sparked confusion, chaos and protests at airports over the weekend, with the Department of Homeland Security eventually clarifying that legal permanent residents with green cards are exempt from the ban.

The move also spurred critical responses across the technology and transportation industries, including from companies such as Google, Apple, Uber and Lyft.

Lyft announced it would donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union in response to the immigration ban.

“Banning people of a particular faith or creed, race or identity, sexuality or ethnicity, from entering the U.S. is antithetical to both Lyft’s and our nation’s core values,” the company’s co-founders wrote. “We stand firmly against these actions, and will not be silent on issues that threaten the values of our community.”

Uber also announced that it will help compensate its drivers who might be stranded overseas due to the travel ban. 

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick said the company would provide three months of compensation to help drivers “mitigate some of the financial stress and complications with supporting their family and putting food on the table.”

Trump’s immigration order affects visa holders from the seven countries and also temporarily halts all refugee resettlement in the United States.