Uber chief to leave Trump's economic council

By Ovunc Kutlu

NEW YORK (AA) - Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick is leaving President Donald Trump's economic advisory council in protest of his policies on immigration.

"Earlier today I spoke briefly with the president about the immigration executive order and its issues for our community," Kalanick said in an email sent to Uber employees Thursday.

"I also let him know that I would not be able to participate on his economic council... There are many ways we will continue to advocate for just change on immigration but staying on the council was going to get in the way of that," he said.

Kalanick's decision comes after Trump signed an executive order Friday that put a travel ban on immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Ride-hailing company's founder said the executive order is "hurting many people in communities all across America", and added that "there's a growing fear the U.S. is no longer a place that welcomes immigrants."

Trump's economic advisory council includes executives from JPMorgan Chase, General Motors, Boeing, and Tesla who are expected to provide the president with their opinion on how government policies would impact the American economy.