Following growing concerns from employees and the public over President Trump’s controversial immigration ban, chief executive of the ride-sharing service – Uber, Travis Kalanick, has resigned from the White House economic advisory group.
The board, which includes Elon Musk, chief executive of Tesla as well as top executives from IBM and General Motors respectively as members, is scheduled to meet with the US President on Friday.
Mr. Kalanick made his decision known on Thursday.
In a memo issued to Uber staffs and disclosed to a source, Mr. Kalanick said, "Joining the group was not meant to be an endorsement of the President or his agenda but unfortunately it has been misinterpreted to be exactly thatâ€.
He noted that he had earlier in the day spoken "briefly with the President about the immigration executive order and its issues for our community".
Adding that "The implicit assumption that Uber (or I) was somehow endorsing the Administration's agenda has created a perception-reality gap between who people think we are, and who we actually are".
Uber is one of many technology companies worried about the adverse effect the travel ban may have on its employees.
The firm has disclosed plans to set – aside $3m as legal fund to assist victims of the ban which may include Uber's own drivers.
Reacting to the development, Tesla boss, Elon Musk tweeted that the "Advisory councils simply provide advice and attending does not mean that I agree with actions by the Administration".
He added that, he "and others will express our objections to the recent executive order on immigration and offer suggestions for changes to the policy".
Mr. Kalanick’s resignation from the White House Advisory group was welcomed by the Independent Drivers Guild, a union which represents Uber’s drivers in New York.
Speaking on behalf of the drivers’ union, founder of the group, Jim Conigliaro said: "This is an important show of solidarity with the immigrant drivers who helped build Uber and number over 40,000 in New York City alone".
"We are heartened that Uber has listened to the drivers and the community on this important issue that is so integral to the promise of the American dream".