Trump Muslim Travel Ban: Video Game Industry Groups Unite Against Immigration Executive Order

President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration and green card holders from several majority-Muslim countries earned widespread response this weekend with protests and legal action. Among game industry companies and developers, their response was similarly vocal.

In a statement, industry trade group the Entertainment Software Association strongly came out against the order.

“The Entertainment Software Association urges the White House to exercise caution with regard to vital immigration and foreign worker programs. As a leading force in technology and exporter of entertainment, the U.S. video game industry thrives on the contributions of innovators and storytellers from around the world,” the Software Association’s statement said. “While recognizing that enhancing national security and protecting our country’s citizens are critical goals, our companies rely on the skilled talent of U.S. citizens, foreign nationals, and immigrants alike. Our nation’s actions and words should support their participation in the American economy.”

Via VentureBeat, Zynga CEO Frank Gibeau came out against the order in an internal email:

“I’ve heard from many of you that you’re concerned about what you’re reading and hearing related to the President of the United States’ Executive Order restricting immigration and travel from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.” Gibeau wrote.

“I want to be clear that as a company we are firmly opposed to these actions. Zynga has always been – and will always be – an organization that values diversity and equality. We have a culture of inclusion and respect. No matter what your political affiliation is, this basic foundation of who we are and what we value should always unite us.”

Frank Murphy, CEO for mobile game developer Dots, also highlighted the company’s outreach efforts on Twitter. Through an in-game message, Murphy said more than 500,000 users visited the American Civil LIberty Union’s donation page.

British game developer Shahid Kamal Amhad said he had to cancel plans to attend the Game Developers Conference in February. On Twitter, the Game Developers Conference said it would offer refunds to attendees whose travel plans were affected by the ban.

The game industry’s statements against the Trump executive order follow similar responses from Silicon Valley, as companies and figures like Mark Zuckerberg have publicly spoken out against the immigration ban. Via Polygon, the ESA has also begun planning in case the Trump administration implements tariffs on overseas items.