A founder of Pittsburgh’s prized tech startup, Duolingo, indicated Monday that harsh immigration policies could force him to move the company – and its jobs – to Canada.
Luis von Ahn wrote on Twitter that the Trump administration’s moves could cost Pittsburgh.
“I’m proud that Duolingo, the most valuable startup in PA, is seen as an inspiration for Pittsburgh,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, if the US policies against (extremely qualified) immigration continue, we’ll be forced to move jobs (and inspiration) to Toronto.”
I'm proud that @duolingo, the most valuable startup in PA, is seen as an inspiration for Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, if the US policies against (extremely qualified) immigration continue, we'll be forced to move jobs (and inspiration) to Toronto @SenToomey @SenBobCasey @billpeduto
— Luis von Ahn (@LuisvonAhn) July 6, 2020
Von Ahn tagged Mayor Bill Peduto and Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey in the tweet.
Peduto responded, noting that “Duolingo isn’t alone.”
“Pittsburgh’s economy depends on attracting brightest minds from around the world,” he wrote. “That’s why corporate leaders, universities, Mayors, hospitals, foundations and non-profits are united in protecting the rights of immigrants and visa required to make Pittsburgh home.”
Casey said he “couldn’t agree more” with von Ahn’s sentiments.
“Our economy in Pittsburgh and across the Commonwealth depends on immigrants like Luis and the bright minds behind Duolingo,” he said in a statement, calling the student-visa policy an attack on international students.
Toomey late last month came out against a Trump decision to restrict some new employment visas, saying temporary nonimmigrant workers “help drive innovation and job creation.”
Duolingo isn’t alone. Pittsburgh’s economy depends on attracting brightest minds from around the world. That’s why corporate leaders, universities, Mayors, hospitals, foundations & non-profits are united in protecting the rights of immigrants and visas required to make PGH home. https://t.co/BghQoNLfSF
— bill peduto (@billpeduto) July 7, 2020
The tweet threatening to move the billion-dollar startup to Toronto came on heels of a tweet from von Ahn about international students in the United States on student visas being forced to go back to their home countries if their universities go to all online learning in the fall.
This is cruel. I was an international student here in the US and attended some of the best universities in my field. I'm thankful that back then, top international talent was treated with respect and encouraged to stay to make this country competitive in a global economy. https://t.co/L4edM9HZjM
— Luis von Ahn (@LuisvonAhn) July 6, 2020
The company said late last year that it was worth $1.5 billion and had plans to increase its workforce by 50% — about 100 new jobs by the end of 2020.
Headquartered in East Liberty, the company’s language-learning app has more than 300 million users and offices in New York City, Seattle and Beijing.
Von Ahn last month was among a group of tech executives that pushed back last month about restrictions on employment-based visas laid out by the Trump administration, according to GeekWire.
The restrictions ban certain categories of visa through 2020, and they are an attempt to get companies to hire Americans out of work because of the covid-19 pandemic.
Imagine if Real Madrid Or Barcelona could only hire players from Spain. They probably wouldn’t be the best in the world anymore. This is what the new executive orders will do to American technology companies.
— Luis von Ahn (@LuisvonAhn) June 23, 2020
