[mc32]

If I had to rationalize their stand it's to signal to potential foreign startups that YC is taking a stand on their behalf --YC relies on a lot of foreign talent to drive their portfolio, so it stands to measure that they would have concern about any potential impact on their business model.

If they were concerned about poor immigrants, the ones without anything beyond basic elementary education, they'd be taking a stand against Japanese policies, Singaporean policies, Korean policies, Brazilian policies, etc. (given they project internationally). Of course they'll say they are an American company so they can only affect American policies -well, but obviously they care more than just for Americans given their display of concern, so it should not be a reason not to express concern abroad as well but they don't because it does not impact how potential foreign talent view them (i.e. the poor Indonesian trying to get a visa to work in Japan, Taiwan or China, is little concern of theirs.)