Open Letter to MHTC on “Temporary” Travel Ban
To: Chris Anderson, Massachusetts High Technology Council
To: Chris Anderson, Massachusetts High Technology Council
Subject: Open Letter Regarding Temporary Travel Ban
This morning I was very disappointed to hear the Massachusetts High Technology Council’s (MHTC’s) interview on NPR pertaining to the Trump Administration’s temporary travel ban. While I agree that the looming issue of H1-B visas is and will remain an important one for the global competitiveness of our technology industry, the statements made on the air that characterized the travel ban as having “de minimis” impact on Massachusetts technology companies is ill-informed.
Our company is a fast-growing consumer technology company, now approaching 100 people, with approximately half of our revenues coming from overseas customers. Like many other global technology companies here in Massachusetts and across the nation, we seek to hire the best-of-the-best so that we can take on fierce competitors from around the world. As such, our team here in Massachusetts includes talented people from around the world, including countries that were targeted by the temporary travel ban. The contributions of these individuals has been central to helping us grow our business (which consequently allows us to hire more US citizens as well).
To characterize the impact of the ban as “de minimis” completely misunderstands the issue. Employees from these countries, who are valued coworkers and members of our communities, are facing a great deal of fear and uncertainty. Some of them may no longer be viewing Massachusetts as a place that welcomes and values their contributions. Not only is the travel ban simply unacceptable on purely moral grounds—frequently separating families, or preventing people from returning to their homes—it simply doesn’t make economic sense. If these people do not feel they can contribute here in Massachusetts, they will do so elsewhere—including our overseas competitors.
Right now, we are facing a major threat to innovation here in Massachusetts. This is a time that requires assertive leadership—not taking “no position” or dismissing the effects as “de minimis.” This is a time for MHTC to step-up and become leaders, just as many technology companies have across the nation. I will be personally working with other innovators in Massachusetts to lead the way on a welcoming and inclusive immigration policy, and I’d like to invite MHTC to be a part of that.
Sincerely,
Jon Radoff
President/CEO
Disruptor Beam Inc.
(Correction: a previous version of this open letter referred to the Mass Technology Leadership Council. The correct organization that appeared on NPR was the Mass High Tech Council, which has no affiliation.)