Elon Musk to seek CEO consensus on changes to Trump immigration ban

Nathan Bomey | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Tech world responds harshly to Trump's immigration ban Tech companies had strong responses to Donald Trump's executive order banning immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S., and some took action in response.

Billionaire innovator Elon Musk pledged Sunday to seek a consensus among fellow business executives appointed to advise President Trump on needed changes to an immigration ban that stirred an outcry around the country.

Musk, appointed in December to a Trump advisory council, said on Twitter that he would seek a consensus on "specific amendments" and "present" it to the president.

"Many people negatively affected by this policy are strong supporters of the US," Musk said Saturday on Twitter. "They've done right, not wrong & don't deserve to be rejected."

The Tesla Motors and SpaceX CEO is part of a chorus of tech executives who have denounced Trump's immigration policy. Executives from Google, Microsoft, Apple, Netflix, Airbnb, Lyft and Uber also spoke out, although Uber came under scrutiny for its initial response.

Some business leaders are remaining silent, however. Representatives for General Motors, Exxon Mobil and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles declined to comment Sunday.

Musk's fellow members of Trump's Strategic and Policy Forum:

GM CEO Mary Barra

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink

Disney CEO Bob Iger

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon

Former Boeing CEO Jim McNerney

PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick

Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, chairman of the forum

Patomak Global Partners CEO Paul Atkins

Cleveland Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove

Boston Consulting Group CEO Rich Lesser

How each company is addressing the matter:

General Motors

A spokesman declined to comment to USA TODAY.

JPMorgan Chase.

Spokesman Andrew Gray declined to comment but released an email sent by JPMorgan Chase's operating committee, including CEO Dimon, to all employees:

In light of recent executive orders in the United States regarding immigration policy, we want every one of you to know of our unwavering commitment to the dedicated people working here at JPMorgan Chase. This includes a number of our outstanding employees— all of whom have adhered to our country's immigration and employment processes— who have come to the United States to serve our company, clients and communities.

Over the weekend, we have worked to reach out to all JPMorgan Chase employees on sponsored visas who are potentially impacted by the recent orders. We understand the situation is evolving quickly, so if you have any concerns about your own situation and have not been contacted, please reach out to your local immigration specialist or HR team.

With more than 140,000 employees in the United States alone, we are grateful for the hard work and sacrifices made to keep our country safe. At the same time, we understand that our country, economy and wellbeing are strengthened by the rich diversity of the world around us, where we are dedicated to serving customers and communities in more than 100 countries every day.

Thank you.

Cleveland Clinic

A Cleveland Clinic doctor who was born in Saudi Arabia and has a passport from Sudan was denied access to the U.S. upon returning Saturday from an overseas trip and was then forced to return to Saudi Arabia, according to ProPublica.

Contacted by USA TODAY for comment on the Trump immigration ban, Cleveland Clinic CEO Eileen Sheil said in an email, "Since this broke, we've been very focused on our employee who was denied access to the US and trying to get her back."

The organization's CEO, Cosgrove, was reportedly under consideration for appointment as Trump's secretary of veterans affairs.

Uber

The company came under fire Saturday night for canceling surge pricing for rides at JFK Airport in what critics viewed as an attempt to capitalize on the firestorm surrounding the temporary detainment of immigrants due to Trump's immigration ban.

After an initial response that pledged compensation for immigrant Uber drivers caught outside the U.S. and offered mild criticism for the ban, Uber on Sunday called on Trump to cancel the order and pledged a $3 million legal defense fund for its drivers.

The company said it would "urge the government to reinstate the right of U.S. residents to travel — whatever their country of origin — immediately."

BlackRock, Walmart, Disney, Boeing, PepsiCo, Blackstone, Patomak and Boston Consulting Group

These companies did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment Sunday afternoon.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.