Expedia Inc. has filed a declaration supporting Washington
state's lawsuit against Donald Trump and his executive order on immigration.
The lawsuit
seeks to invalidate the 90-day ban on travel to the U.S. from seven countries (Iran, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Somalia and Libya).
The declaration was filed earlier this week by Robert
Dzielak, Expedia's executive vice president, general counsel and secretary.
Expedia's headquarters are in Bellevue, Wash.
"Expedia believes that the executive order jeopardizes
its corporate mission and could have a detrimental impact on its business and
employees, as well as the broader U.S. and global travel and tourism industry,"
the declaration states.
According to the declaration, Expedia estimated it has at
least 1,000 customers with passports issued by one of the countries affected by
the executive order. Expedia said it is assisting those customers with
alternative travel arrangements, and is in the process of contacting them now.
The company said the legwork, and the continued monitoring of the situation, is
incurring business costs that continue to increase.
Additionally, the declaration said the executive order "has
restrained Expedia employees' ability to travel freely, for professional or
personal purposes."
Following the order's issuance, Expedia advised employees
from the impacted companies to avoid travel for the time being, and told
employees from the seven countries traveling outside the U.S. to immediately
contact immigration counsel. The company is, at its expense, providing legal
counsel and immigration services to its employees.
Dara Khosrowshahi
According to the declaration, there are at least two
employees working in Bellevue who would be affected if they left the country,
and "a number" of employees who work outside the U.S. that would be unable
to travel to the company's U.S. offices without risk.
The executive order, Expedia contends, "imposes
restraints on Expedia's ability to efficiently operate its business," and
also affects the company's ability to recruit around the world.
An Expedia spokesperson declined to comment on pending
litigation, but did provide a statement from CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, whose family emigrated to the U.S. from Iran when he was a child. "Ours
is a nation of immigrants. They are at our roots; they are our soul. The
president jeopardized that with the stroke of a pen. Expedia Inc. will do
everything we can to protect and help our employees and travelers. That's our
job. Hopefully our government can do its job thoughtfully and with respect for
our immigrant past."