Facebook chief Zuckerberg 'tackling politics'

March 27, 2013

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, pictured during a media
event at Facebook's headquarters in Menlo Park, California,
on March 7, 2013. Zuckerberg is helping form a group to lobb
y for US political reform in areas such as education and
immigration policy, according to US media reports spreading
online on Tuesday.

AFP - Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg is helping form a group to lobby for US political reform in areas such as education and immigration policy, according to US media reports spreading online.

The San Francisco Chronicle, Politico, and the Wall Street Journal were among outlets reporting on Tuesday that the 28-year-old co-founder of the world's leading social network was helping unite technology industry in a political action group.

News reports cited unnamed sources and Facebook would not comment.

The group, which had yet to be named, reportedly set a goal of raising about $50 million, with significant contributions already provided by Zuckerberg and other technology industry executives.

Silicon Valley's long crusade to break open doors to America for foreigners with key technology skills hinges on a political battle in Washington over broader immigration reform.

For more than a decade, the tech sector has been struggling to get more visas and green cards for immigrants with engineering, math or science skills.

Now, analysts say Republicans and Democrats appear to be looking at a comprehensive measure that deals with high-skilled workers and the millions of undocumented aliens.

Improving the ranks of studying science, math and engineering in US schools along with the caliber of courses are also issues dear to Silicon Valley, along with policies that encourage research and development to foster innovations.

Zuckerberg has demonstrated a previous penchant for politics. In January, Facebook confirmed that Zuckerberg intended to host a fundraiser for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie early this year.

The event at Zuckerberg's home in the California city of Palo Alto was to support the re-election bid of high-profile Republican Christie, who is seen as a possible future contender for US president.

Zuckerberg's relationship with Christie dates back to 2010, when the native of New York State made a $100 million grant to the troubled New Jersey public school system.