Koch, Apple's Cook Write WaPo Call to Act on DACA Before '18

The top officers of Apple and Koch Industries spoke up Thursday for illegal immigrants brought to the country as children — saying they should not be held "hostage to the debate over immigration."

In an op-ed for The Washington Post, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Koch Industries CEO Charles Koch jointly wrote the opinion piece urging Congress to act quickly, "ideally before year's end," to ensure the so-called Dreamers can stay in the United States.

About 690,000 Dreamers are protected by an Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which President Donald Trump plans to end in March, the pair noted.

"Both of our companies are fortunate to have dreamers on our teams," they wrote. "We know from experience that the success of our businesses depends on having employees with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. It fuels creativity, broadens knowledge and helps drive innovation."

"The United States should not hold hard-working, patriotic people hostage to the debate over immigration — or, worse, expel them because we have yet to resolve a complex national argument," they added.

"As a nation, we must show that the dreamers' faith in our word and goodwill was not misplaced. And we should make clear that the United States welcomes their contributions as part of our national life."

Apple employs 250 Dreamers, Cook revealed in an email in September, Business Insider reported, telling company staff, "I want to assure you that Apple will work with members of Congress from both parties to advocate for a legislative solution that provides permanent protections for all the Dreamers in our country."

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