NEW YORK (AP) — Apple CEO Tim Cook defended the government program that protects young immigrants in the U.S. illegally and called immigration the "biggest issue of our time."

Cook, speaking at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum Wednesday, said Apple Inc. plans to work with Congress on behalf of its employees that benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.

The program gives temporary protection and work authorization to immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, who are referred to as "dreamers." The program is being phased out, but with a six-month delay to g...