A note from our CEO on the recent executive order on immigration

Our first priority has been to ensure the well-being of our employees and their families. Our review over the weekend did not find any employee who has yet been affected by or faces imminent problems due to the order. However, we stand ready to support anyone who may find themselves impacted by this or any change in immigration policy.

While we will continue to focus on our employees, there is a broader context here. We are a global company and we respect the ability of all people—regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age—to contribute to our progress, to our community, and to our mission.

Every single corner of our company has flourished by embracing talented, creative individuals regardless of their origin. Working together has helped us build revolutionary products and made it possible for over 50,000 organizations in every part of the world to see, understand, and do remarkable things with data. None of this would have been possible if we had limited our collective abilities by being exclusionary.

We agree that we need safe borders to protect our way of life. But the answer is not to issue broad proclamations against religions or nationalities. We are strongest when we embrace and embody our national values of tolerance, collaboration, inclusion, and respect. If we want to live these values, then we need to base policy on intelligent and nuanced analysis—on data—rather than on fear. That is not a political statement, nor a partisan statement, nor a commentary on any person. It is a statement about being willing to stand up for what is right.

One way we at Tableau are helping immediately is through the Tableau Foundation. We are launching a double-match campaign for contributions made by employees to organizations addressing refugee immigration issues (retroactive to contributions made since last Friday). In addition, the Tableau Foundation is providing additional software and services to organizations in support of their refugee- and immigration-related missions.

On a personal note, had my grandparents not been allowed to flee Eastern Europe between the First and Second World Wars, I might well not be here today. In addition, I am an immigrant to the US, and am grateful for that privilege.

Thank you for your passion on these issues as well as your tolerance for those who hold diverse and opposing views. Both are vital to our well-being.

Adam