Philly tech joins challenge to Trump immigration order

Last week's company-permitted walkout against President Trump's immigration order by at least 500 Philadelphia-based Comcast engineers and other tech workers — and hundreds more at other Comcast workforce centers — wasn't the only local protest joining a Silicon Valley-led reaction by America's polyglot tech community against Washington's attempts to shut the door on newcomers.

"We are always in your corner," said Bill McDermott, Newtown Square-based chief executive of SAP SE, the German software maker that employs 84,000 worldwide, in a letter to "all our nervous families wondering about your place in the world." Read McDermott's letter here. -- Reuters story here.

McDermott noted the U.S. was "stitched together by immigrants." He added his conviction that "America will find its way back to its original identity" based on opportunity and equality for all.

The letter, which quotes anti-Nazi leader Rev. Martin Niemoller and civil-rights leader U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D., Ga.), is titled "Silence Is Not An Option." Read it here.  

Some of the highlights include: "A nation birthed by and raised on the backs of immigrants cannot stand idly by while those who wish to make our nation stronger are turned away … Our American values have been compromised … Science and data should inform policy … Diversity of race, orientation, gender, and religious background … makes us strong. We will not join this wave of hatred that will only make us less secure."

The effort was led by Dr. Amanda Christini, M.D., founder of Blackfinn Inc., a Center City-based data-analytics firm, according to signer Roberto Torres, in this article for Philly-based Technical.ly. Other start-up founders who signed include Rick Nucci of Guru and Geoff DiMasi of Web design firm P'unk Ave.

The 97 companies backing this federal lawsuit that a Seattle-based judge used to stall Trump's order doesn't include any Philadelphia-based companies. But alongside Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, and other giants are at least six firms — AltSchool, Square, TaskRabbit and Uber, all of California, and New York-based AppNews and Warby Parker — that have been financed by one of the nation's busiest venture capital firms, First Round Capital, which is based in Philadelphia.

Trump's "travel and immigration ban represents a religious test for access to opportunity in the United States and is unjust and amoral," wrote First Round's partners, including Philly-based Josh Kopelman (who also heads the board that oversees the Inquirer) and Chris Fralic, plus their California and New York  partners. Read the First Round letter here.

"We believe it does not reflect American values, is antithetical to how our country became the world's largest economy and most desired environment to practice business, and will diminish our long-standing position of global leadership," First Round added.

"To some, these violations of the basic human rights of a few may be judged as an appropriate cost to benefit the majority," the letter continues. But "history shows" that "America's potential shrinks" when groups or nationalities are specifically excluded.

The partners "committed to a monthly recurring donation to the ACLU," which has been challenging the Trump order in court. They also expressed "disbelief on the positions his administration has taken on basic human rights and civil liberties. Sadly, we don't expect that it will be the last."

They also added their names to this 60-page list of signers of TechNYC's letter, which also protested the Trump order.

To all SAP employees worldwide

Dear colleagues,

Many of you have asked about the new immigration policies recently announced in the United States. I thought it might be helpful to simply share with you what we have said directly to our colleagues who are affected.

In summary: every single one of us, all 84,000 people of SAP, will always stand up for each other. We will protect each other's human rights and reject any attempt to discriminate on any basis. As a proud citizen of the United States, I believe in its beautiful civic and cultural fabric, undeniably stitched together by immigrants from every corner of the world. America will find its way back to its original identity – a dream built on opportunity and equality for all.

If you're scared, stay strong. If you're frustrated, stay active. If you have questions, Stefan and our entire HR team are on alert to support you.

To all our nervous families wondering about your place in the world, we are always in your corner. You are exactly where you belong and we are so proud to call you neighbors, colleagues and friends.

Very best regards,

Bill