Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been working on it quietly for several months. But he went public with his support for immigration reforms on Monday night, as reported by The Associated Press. The Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) founder was speaking at the screening event of Documented, an autobiographical film by journalist and activist Jose Antonio Vargas. Vargas is an undocumented immigrant who came to the United States from the Philippines during his childhood.
Zuckerberg says it affects the whole nation
The 29-year old social media tycoon was in his trademark jeans and hoodie. Mark Zuckerberg said that his aim is not just to secure a large number of H1B visas for tech employees. The Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) chief said that it’s for the benefit of the tech world as well as the entire nation. The current visa norms are affecting the future of the United States by prohibiting people from living in the nation who could one day become innovators and entrepreneurs, and provide employment to thousands. The Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) CEO was speaking before hundreds of attendees at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, including San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Current immigration systems affect hiring and R&D at Facebook
Mark Zuckerberg joined hands with his ex-roommate at Harvard University Joe Green to form an organization called FWD.us to support massive immigration reform. About 11 million immigrants live in the United States illegally. Executives of Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) and other Silicon Valley tech firms sent a letter to Barack Obama, saying that the current immigration system is worthless, as it has been affecting hiring and R&D activities due to green card delays, visa shortages and other immigration issues.
The Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) founder said he became aware of this serious issue while teaching an entrepreneurship class at an eastern Menlo Park school. He was asking students what they thought were their biggest problems. A bright student said that he won’t be able to go to college because he is living illegally in the U.S. It’s a serious matter that touches the whole country, not just Silicon Valley.
Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) shares were down 2.65% to $38.15 at 11:15 AM EDT.
