In a surprising revelation, outgoing California Representative Anna Eshoo has identified immigration reform as her biggest regret in the tech sector. Eshoo, who has represented Silicon Valley, emphasized the vital role immigrants play in the technology industry and the nation’s overall identity.
During an interview on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki,” Eshoo underscored the significance of immigrants in shaping the nation, stating, “We would not be the nation that we are without being an immigrant nation.” She acknowledged the pivotal role played by immigrants in the technology sector, with many choosing the United States for their education. Eshoo praised the quality of American colleges and universities, particularly mentioning Stanford University in her district.
However, Eshoo lamented that despite receiving education in the U.S., immigrants often face challenges obtaining green cards, forcing them to leave. The congresswoman, who announced last month that she won’t seek reelection in 2024 after more than 30 years in the House delegation, expressed concern over the loss of talent due to immigration restrictions.
In addition to immigration, Eshoo addressed another regret related to the technology sector. She discussed the wording of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a 1996 law that shields websites from legal liability for user-generated content. Eshoo acknowledged that the intention behind the law was to protect emerging internet platforms, but she now sees it as a mistake. Section 230, according to Eshoo, granted these platforms immunity from liability for any content, a provision she now considers problematic.
