Big Tech supports incoming US Prez on easing immigration

Google has reportedly said it would support President-elect Joe Biden’s efforts to pass a new US immigration law and would help cover application fees for immigrants seeking lawful work under a threatened government programme.

Google offered to pay the application fees of about 500 young immigrants seeking employment under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme.

It comes as Google and other big US employers transition from four years of criticising outgoing President Donald Trump for restricting immigration policy and undermining the companies’ ability to hire foreign-born workers.

Biden said last week that he would propose unspecified immigration legislation to Congress “immediately” upon taking office on January 20. Biden’s Democratic Party will control Congress, boosting the chance of having suitable laws.

“We will support efforts by the new Congress and incoming Administration to pass comprehensive immigration reform that improves employment-based visa programmes that enhance American competitiveness, gives greater assurance to immigrant workers and employers, and promotes better and more humane immigration processing and border security practices,” wrote Google senior vice-president Kent Walker on his blog.

Walker also mentioned Google’s philanthropic foundation would donate $250,000 to the organisation ‘United We Dream’, which helps immigrants unlawfully living in the US having arrived as children secure work permits and avoid deportation using the deferred action program, or DACA.

A court ruling expected soon threatens to pause renewals and applications for those permits, Walker said. Google has in the past teamed with fellow large technology companies when making statements on immigration policy.