President Trump recently signed an executive order that bans people in seven different countries from entering the US. It also prohibits admission of refugees from Syria. This order prompted many protests to form across the nation. And now Starbucks is taking action.
Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz announced in a letter on January 29th that the coffee company is doing everything in its power to protect its partners who are impacted by the ban.
“In the face of recent events around the world, let me assure you that we will stay true to our values and do everything we can possibly do to support and invest in every partner’s well-being while taking the actions that are squarely within our ability to control,” writes Schultz.
Schultz lists specific actions the company is taking to reinforce its belief in its partners around the world. This includes supporting for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), continue sourcing coffee from Mexico, and hiring 10,000 refugees over a five year period in the 75 countries where Starbucks does business.
Starbucks will begin its hiring efforts on individuals who have served with US troops as interpreters in the various countries where the military has needed this support. And Starbucks isn’t the first company to announce actions being taken against Trump’s immigration ban.
Google announced in a memo that it created a $2 million crisis fund that can be matched with up to $2 million in donations from employees, totaling $4 million, for the American Civil Liberties Union, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, International Rescue Committee and UNHCR. Lyft also announced that it will not be silent on issues that threaten the value of its community, and will donate $1,000,000 over the next four years to the ACLU to defend our constitution.
With large companies taking a stand against Trump’s executive order, they are defending their values, employees, and customers.
“We are in business to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time–whether that neighborhood is in a Red State or a Blue State; a Christian country or a Muslim country; a divided nation or a united nation,” Schultz writes. “That will not change. You have my word on that.”