Starbucks reacts to Trump’s ban with vow to HIRE 10,000 refugees

In response to President Donald Trump's hugely controversial order which prevents immigrants from certain Muslim country access into the United States, the head of global coffee chain, Starbucks, has insisted the corporation will do everything they can to counter the president's policies.

Speaking in the wake of Trump's executive order, Howard Schultz, penned a statement for the chain's official website which outlines the organisation's plans to hire 10,000 refugees across the globe.

"We have a long history of hiring young people looking for opportunities and a pathway to a new life around the world," he explained after insisting Starbucks would not maintain a silence around the new Administration's actions.

"This is why we are doubling down on this commitment by working with our equity market employees as well as joint venture and licensed market partners in a concerted effort to welcome and seek opportunities for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and discrimination."

While acknowledging that more than 65 million individuals are recognised as refugees worldwide, Howard explained that Starbucks intends to hire 10,000 across five years.

"And we will start this effort here in the U.S. by making the initial focus of our hiring efforts on those individuals who have served with U.S. troops as interpreters and support personnel in the various countries where our military has asked for such support," he continued.

Recognising the need to highlight the disparity between Trump's policies and Starbucks' ethos, Howard concluded by saying the executive order will not influence the latter.

"We are in business to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time – whether that neighborhood is in a Red State or a Blue State; a Christian country or a Muslim country; a divided nation or a united nation."

"That will not change. You have my word on that," he concluded.

Meanwhile, members of the public in this country are adding their names to a campaign which urges Taoiseach Enda Kenny to boycott his St Patrick's Day visit to the United States.