Starbucks chief executive officer Howard Schultz said on Sunday that the company planned to hire 10,000 refugees over five years in 75 countries, two days after US President Donald Trump's executive order banning refugees from certain countries.

Trump on Friday put a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the United States and temporarily barred travellers from Syria and six other Muslim-majority countries, saying the moves would help protect Americans from terrorist attacks.

The order sparked widespread international criticism, outrage from civil rights activists and legal challenges.

Starbucks in a letter from Schultz told employees it would do everything possible to support affected workers.

The hiring efforts announced on Sunday would start in the United States by initially focusing on individuals who have served with US troops as interpreters and support personnel in the various countries where the military has asked for such support, Schultz said.

Schultz has been outspoken on various issues and has put Starbucks in the national spotlight, asking customers not to bring guns into stores and urging conversations on race relations.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close People chant slogans at the Indianapolis International Airport, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, during a protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily suspending all immigration for citizens of seven majority Muslim countries for 90 days. (Kelly Wilkinson/The Indianapolis Star via AP) AP Demonstrators gather outside Tom Bradley International Terminal during a protest against President Donald Trump's travel ban on refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority nations, at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang) AP Deanna Culley gets ready for a protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily suspending all immigration for citizens of seven majority Muslim countries for 90 days at the Indianapolis International Airport, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. (Kelly Wilkinson/The Indianapolis Star via AP) AP Protesters wrap around the baggage carousels as they listen to speakers at the Indianapolis International Airport, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, during a protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily suspending all immigration for citizens of seven majority Muslim countries for 90 days. (Kelly Wilkinson/The Indianapolis Star via AP) AP People chant slogans at the Indianapolis International Airport, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, during a protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily suspending all immigration for citizens of seven majority Muslim countries for 90 days. (Kelly Wilkinson/The Indianapolis Star via AP) AP People chant slogans at the Indianapolis International Airport, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. (Kelly Wilkinson/The Indianapolis Star via AP) AP People during a protest held in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban, in Seattle, Washington, U.S. January 29, 2017. REUTERS/David Ryder REUTERS People walk toward Westlake Park for a protest held in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban, in Seattle, Washington, U.S. January 29, 2017. REUTERS/David Ryder REUTERS A young Muslim woman listens during a protest held in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban, in Seattle, Washington, U.S. January 29, 2017. REUTERS/David Ryder REUTERS A man raises his fist during a protest held in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban, in Seattle, Washington, U.S. January 29, 2017. REUTERS/David Ryder REUTERS King County Councilmember Larry Gossett speaks during a protest held in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban, in Seattle, Washington, U.S. January 29, 2017. REUTERS/David Ryder REUTERS A woman cheers with a Somali flag during a protest held in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban, in Seattle, Washington, U.S. January 29, 2017. REUTERS/David Ryder REUTERS People march through downtown Seattle during a protest held in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban, in Seattle, Washington, U.S. January 29, 2017. REUTERS/David Ryder REUTERS Muslim Somali immigrants cheer during a protest held in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban, in Seattle, U.S. Washington January 29, 2017. REUTERS/David Ryder REUTERS Young men cheer during a protest held in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban, in Seattle, Washington, U.S. January 29, 2017. REUTERS/David Ryder REUTERS Demonstrators shut down the traffic loops at LAX International Airport and yell slogans during a protest against the travel ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order, at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 29, 2017. REUTERS/Ted Soqui REUTERS Demonstrators shut down the traffic loops at LAX International Airport and yell slogans during a protest against the travel ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order, at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 29, 2017. REUTERS/Ted Soqui REUTERS Demonstrators shut down the traffic loops at LAX International Airport and yell slogans during a protest against the travel ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order, at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 29, 2017. REUTERS/Ted Soqui REUTERS A man holds a sign during a protest held in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban, in Seattle, Washington, U.S. January 29, 2017. REUTERS/David Ryder REUTERS People march through downtown Seattle during a protest held in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban in Seattle, Washington January 29, 2017. REUTERS/David Ryder REUTERS People gather during a protest against President Donald Trump's executive order banning travel to the United States by citizens of several countries Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. (Jeffrey M. Smith/The Times Herald via AP) AP Demonstrators hold signs and chant during a protest against President Donald Trump's executive order banning travel to the United States by citizens of several countries Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. (Jeffrey M. Smith/The Times Herald via AP) AP Hundreds of demonstrators gather on the roadway during a protest against President Donald Trump's executive order banning travel to the United States by citizens of several countries at Los Angeles International Airport, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang) AP Demonstrators hold signs and chant in the baggage claim area during a protest against President Donald Trump's executive order banning travel to the United States by citizens of several countries Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. (Jeffrey M. Smith/The Times Herald via AP) AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp People chant slogans at the Indianapolis International Airport, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, during a protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily suspending all immigration for citizens of seven majority Muslim countries for 90 days. (Kelly Wilkinson/The Indianapolis Star via AP)

Schultz said on Sunday that if the Affordable Care Act is repealed and employees lose healthcare coverage, they would be able to return to health insurance through Starbucks.

Trump and a Republican-controlled legislature are seeking to undo much of the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.

Schultz will step down as CEO in a few months to focus on new high-end coffee shops, handing the top job to Chief Operating Officer Kevin Johnson, a long-time technology executive. He will become executive chairman in April.

Schultz also affirmed the company's commitment to trade with Mexico, another subject that has been front and centre of Trump's campaign.

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