(KGTV) - On the heels of the Trump Administration's decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, commonly referred to as "DACA," there's been an outpouring of support for the program's recipients and criticism toward the president.
Tuesday's announcement by Attorney General Jeff Sessions prompted a slew of statements from academic institutions, business community and Hollywood alike - in addition to a number of political leaders.
RELATED: Political leaders respond to DACA decision
Apple CEO Tim Cook, who had been invited to join President Trump's Office of American Innovation in the past, called the decision a "setback for our nation," and that he'll do whatever he can to "continue our tradition of welcoming immigrants from all nations."
"I've received several notes over the weekend from Dreamers within Apple. Some told me they came to the U.S. as young as two years old, while others recounted they don't even remember a time they were not in this country.
Dreamers who work at Apple may have been born in Canada or Mexico, Kenya or Mongolia, but America is the only home they've ever known. They grew up in our cities and towns, and hold degrees from colleges across the country. They now work for Apple in 28 states.
They help customers in our retail stores. They engineer the products people love and they're building Apple's future as part of our R&D teams. They contribute to our company, our economy and our communities just as much as you and I do. Their dreams are our dreams.
I want to assure you that Apple will work with members of Congress from both parties to advocate for a legislative solution that provides permanent protections for all the Dreamers in our country."
Read Cook's full letter to employees here.
Microsoft President Brad Smith also called the move a step back for the country and that Microsoft would help any employees affected, "if the government seeks to deport any one of them, we will provide and pay for their legal counsel."
"In short, if Dreamers who are our employees are in court, we will be by their side," Smith said.
RELATED: DC Daily: Trump administration puts end to DACA program
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg echoed Cook's comments Tuesday, saying "this is a sad day for our country."
"DACA protects 800,000 Dreamers -- young people brought to this country by their parents. Six months from today, new DACA recipients will start to lose their ability to work legally and will risk immediate deportation every day.
It's time for Congress to act to pass the bipartisan Dream Act or another legislative solution that gives Dreamers a pathway to citizenship. For years, leaders from both parties have been talking about protecting Dreamers. Now it's time to back those words up with action. Show us that you can lead. No bill is perfect, but inaction now is unacceptable."
Zuckerberg posted his statement on his Facebook page, where it's been shared more than 56,000 times as of 12 p.m.
Celebrities also took to Twitter to voice their anger, with George Takai, Chelsea Handler, and Michael Moore as just a few of those speaking out against President Trump.
Jeff Sessions says "We are people of compassion" while announcing the end of DACA!? The American people are, sir, you and your boss are not.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) September 5, 2017
Trump has no clue what he's doing with North Korea, with DACA, with any American values. He needs to be replaced with someone who does.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) September 5, 2017
To the streets! Find out where the DACA protest is where u live and SHOW UP! If we are ever to be a decent country, this is your moment.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) September 5, 2017
Expelling 800,000 kids who grew up in America is wrong, cruel, sickening. #Dreamers #DACA
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) September 5, 2017
Okay. The Bad Man continues to do bad.
Your move, Congress.#DefendDREAMers #DREAMAct #LetsGo— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) September 5, 2017
America is barreling down a very ugly path right now. How many people must be blocked, deported & banned before we say enough? #DefendDACA
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) September 5, 2017
