Zuckerberg's Nonprofit Ends Association with Advocacy Group

Mark Zuckerberg was once hailed as a champion of immigration reform. In 2013, during Obama's presidency, he helped establish FWD.us, an advocacy group promoting immigration policies to grant citizenship to exceptional individuals, irrespective of their birthplace. Fast forward to 2025, with Donald Trump reinstating stringent immigration rules, Zuckerberg's philanthropic organization has distanced itself from this cause, proving that Big Tech leaders have their principles.

Bloomberg revealed that the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) had withdrawn its financial backing from FWD.us this year. Until now, CZI had been the source of over half of the $400 million the organization received since its inception. Furthermore, Jordan Fox, who served as CZI's chief of staff, has resigned from the board of FWD.us with no plans for a replacement from CZI.

Events took an interesting turn in late 2024 when Zuckerberg had a meeting with Stephen Miller, advisor to Trump. Known for his extreme immigration views, Miller allegedly challenged Zuckerberg’s connections to FWD.us. It appears Miller’s commentary impacted Zuckerberg’s views.

A Shift Towards a New Direction

In January, just before Trump’s second term began, Meta carried out significant changes. The company discontinued its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and described third-party fact-checkers as politically partial, thus removing them. Additionally, modifications were made to platform rules to permit derogatory remarks concerning immigration and LGBTQ+ discussions, while a prominent Trump supporter, Dana White, was invited to join the board.

This alteration fits a broader trend in Silicon Valley of aligning more closely with Trump's administration. Zuckerberg stated in a New York Times interview that the changing policy and regulatory scene requires institutions to adapt, and he expressed optimism regarding the potential for technological advancement under the current U.S. administration.

Continuing Advocacy Efforts

Despite financial challenges, FWD.us remains committed to its mission. Its President, Todd Schulte, expressed gratitude towards both previous and new benefactors, emphasizing the campaign for immigrant rights and efforts towards reforming the immigration and criminal justice systems. This drive will persist for years to come, fueled by support from recent donors who continue to join the cause.