Amidst growing anti-immigrant rhetoric that's harming our communities and our economy, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has dealt a cruel blow. They ruled against the President’s Executive Action on Immigration which would have protected millions of immigrant families from separation and allowed them to be more visible in their ongoing contributions to our country’s economy. However, the fight isn't over. We still have a chance to stand up for fair treatment of immigrant families and for our economy. To be clear, taking action is important for our families and also for our economy. Research shows that immigrants play a large and important role in our economy, founding many of our largest companies, as well as building small businesses that fuel our economy. [1] In fact, an estimated 30 percent of the small business growth over the last two decades was driven by immigrants — and studies also show that immigrants are more than twice as likely to start a businesses as U.S.-born citizens. [2,3] Immigrants or the children of immigrants founded more than 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies. [4] The executive action included two key programs: The expansion of a program for DREAMers (youth and young adults who came to the U.S. as children without documentation), and the establishment of a new program that would help undocumented immigrant parents and others - who meet certain criteria - to not be separated from their loved ones, as well as to work legally. (The programs are called DACA and DAPA, respectively.) But before these programs could be implemented, a number of governors and attorneys general challenged the executive action by bringing a lawsuit against it. Legal scholars say this politically motivated lawsuit has no legal merit. And leading economists have calculated that the two programs would add $90 billion to the nation's economy in an expanded workforce and payroll taxes. Help me tell the DOJ to move as quickly as possible to appeal this anti-immigrant lawsuit so that it can go before the Supreme Court! _______________________________________________________________ [1] "The Shocking Stats About Who’s Really Starting Companies in America," Fast Company. [2] "Immigrant Small Business Owners," Fiscal Policy Institute. [3] Ibid. [4] "Report: New American Fortune 500," Partnership for a New American Economy.

Arkansans deserve a governor who embodies their generous nature, not one who cynically abandons the "Christian" values he espouses for the sake of perceived political gain.

We have Syrian refugees at the middle school where I teach. Their stories are heartbreaking. Most American families came to this country as immigrants. Illinois should be doing what it can to be tolerant and welcoming of Syrians who are fleeing the terrorism in their home country.

Because I care.

Blaming the victims will not bring back those who have died nor will it make us safer. Blaming the victims will create more of the desperation that violent fanatics feed on. Blaming the victims limits our capacity to take thoughtful strategic action to address the real danger.

Children born to undocumented parents are being put at risk of the very horrors we as a nation fight to prevent globally; likewise, we cannot have our own children exploited and stand to say we support children. The anti-immigrant climate of our nation is stripping us of our humanity and the government's duty to protect its citizens and especially those who are the most vulnerable. We cannot ignore the futures of these children, for they have rights to protection and due process guaranteed to all Americans.

I am starting this petition because Trump's words are damaging the very nature of our country. I can't stand to sit by and listen to the news media who seems to have accepted this 'plan' as a possibility. Why does anyone listen to him? This is dangerous rhetoric which is already taking its toll on people who could be affected. We must speak up and let Trump know that people are listening and won't tolerate what they hear.

Anna gave up everything she knew to immigrate from Austria to the US to be with the man she loves. She and her husband wanted to go through the process the LEGAL way and they have done everything they were supposed to do. At every single turn the Immigration Office has given them nothing but trouble. It shouldn't have to be like this if someone follows the rules to come into the country. Even though Anna was born and lived her whole life in another country, I feel like she is family. Let her stay where she belongs. Review the immigration process so that those who are following the process actually make it through.

I still remember when I first arrived into the United States, and I remember being alone with headlights coming and going. The experience was surreal. Parents of the working class deserve a moral right to stand up for dignity and respect. As a dreamer facing many challenges, I know what it is like to give life your all and to see results little by little. Parents are the original dreamers, and we have to give back to the next generation that's in front of us. The opportunities for granting executive action is legal, mature, and endless in possibilities for a new just world order. We all share the belief in the pursuit of happiness no matter what choices we may have chosen.

Europe will soon be freezing as winter approaches and the desperate need of these human immigrants must be met by countries with the resources to help them. The U.S. has the resources to extend this aid.

My name is Maria. Today I received bad news about the case of my husband, Anastasio Hernandez Rojas, who was murdered by the border agents on May 28, 2010. Anastasio was beaten, electrocuted and killed in front of eyewitnesses, but the federal prosecutor told me he cannot bring criminal charges against the agents involved because there is not enough evidence. If the agents had worn cameras on their uniforms, my husband might still be alive, or there would be evidence to hold the agents who killed my husband accountable. But the agents walk free while my children suffer. They cry in their sleep and continue to ask me who is responsible for killing their father. I have no answer.

November is the one year anniversary of President Obama's executive action on immigration reform. Here in Texas, Greg Abbott as Attorney General led the lawsuit that halted DAPA and DACA and attacked Immigrant families. Now Greg Abbott is Governor of Texas, and your voice has the power to overcome his opposition: sign our petition today asking Abbott to meet with Immigrant families he has hurt, and to hear why he should drop his opposition to immigration relief. There are 1.8 million undocumented immigrants in Texas, and Gov. Abbott's opposition to reform is keeping 750,000 Texans and their families from getting the immigration relief they need. Let Governor Abbott know that you agree with the nearly 70% of Texans who support immigration reform and sign this petition today.