As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, let's recognize that Syrian refugees are fleeing for their lives and the lives of their children - just like many of our early settlers did and as our immigrants since have done. This country and the the state of Massachusetts ("the Spirit of America") is a symbol of freedom and hope to those who are suffering, and refusing those who need protection is signing their death warrant. Rather than refuse to accept refugees, Governor Baker and other state governors should be working with the federal government to create efficient and effective screening processes so that our state can welcome those who are suffering. The protection of ALL human life should be our top priority.

We cannot stand idly by while bigotry spews out of governors' mansions across the country. Idaho has a large refugee population of taxpayers, teachers, etc. We must stand up for those who are marginalized, we must stand up for American values, and we must use our compassion against the hatred of ISIS.

Carl Hulse, reporting for the New York Times on Paul Ryan’s bill that refugee advocates say would effectively suspend the admission of Syrian and Iraqi war refugees to the United States, wrote: “The measure technically does not suspend the refugee program, providing Republicans some cover from criticism they were denying refugees a chance for escape.” [1] But if refugee advocates opposing the bill are correct in their assessments, then Carl Hulse’s reporting was deeply misleading unless you understand the word “technically” to mean “while effectively doing so.” The American Immigration Lawyers Association says the bill “would halt the refugee resettlement program for Iraqis and Syrians.” [2] The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service says the bill “would exclude all Syrian refugees from the protection of the United States resettlement system.” [3] The New York Times’ own editorial board wrote that “people who will be denied resettlement by this bill would be the victims of war, people who have been tortured and threatened by the same jihadists the United States now battles.” [4] Urge the New York Times Public Editor to investigate why the New York Times’ reporting embraced Paul Ryan’s spin that the bill "does not suspend the refugee program" by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/11/19/paul-ryan-steers-refugee-bill-and-some-cover-to-a-house-vote/ 2. http://www.aila.org/advo-media/aila-correspondence/2015/aila-vote-recommendations-hr-4038 3. https://secure2.convio.net/lirs/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=215#.Vk39Eq6rRE6 4. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/19/opinion/refugees-from-war-arent-the-enemy.html

The United States is expected to receive 1,400 to 2,000 Syrian refugees for the year 2015, and 5,000 to 8,000 in 2016. There are over 4 million refugees that have fled Syria, and this number grows everyday. The United States is better equipped than most states to resettle the outpour of Syrian citizens. However, in the wake of the attacks on Beirut and Paris, several politicians are attempting to reject Syrian refugees with misinformed claims of fearing for national security. Thirty-one governors have issued statements expressing opposition to resettling Syrian refugees in their respective states, citing security concerns. To our grave disappointment, Governor Susana Martinez is one of them. While the final decision regarding the immigration of Syrian refugees to the United States will fall to the federal government, Governor Susana Martinez's official opposition to the settlement of refugees in New Mexico is indicative of a greater, reactionary and discriminatory mindset. In the words of former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, “These proposals are motivated by fear, not by the facts….We have always been a generous nation, and we have in place a rigorous process for refugee resettlement that that balances our generosity with our need for security. It works, and it should not be stopped or paused." In light of the terrorist attacks that have rocked the international community, it is important to stand in solidarity with the victims of these attacks. But we must remember that the refugees fleeing Syria are victims of this very same terrorism themselves. We must not scorn the refugees seeking safety in a misguided and misinformed attempt to secure our own safety. Instead, we must extend our sympathy.

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory equates terrorism with Syrian refugees and is refusing to allow Syrian refugees into the State of North Carolina. Let him know you do not support this racist view and stand with the rights and safety of Syrian refugees by signing this petition against Governor McCrory's stance. Let him know he does not speak for North Carolina.

I am a Lebanese American who fled the civil war in Lebanon 30 years ago, but I was fortunate that my dad could pay our plane tickets and provide us with a home here. It aches my heart to see the drownings happening in the Mediterranean while there are ships around !!

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" Nearly every school-age child in America has been taught these words and what they stand for. We are told glorious stories of escape from religious persecution and intolerance. We are shown images of those who have traveled long and arduous roads to reach our shores. We are taught these words and we should stand behind them. Let us demonstrate to the world that we not only know these words, but that we believe in them. Let us lead the world not in defense spending but in humanitarian effort. And let us prove to the rest of the world that we are indeed a part of it.

This petition is about what it's like to be America. We are a beacon of freedom and prosperity, and allowing fear and politics to drive our decisions is completely against our values.

Every family has a right to a safe place to call home. Unfortunately, 4 million people, including many children and elderly, are displaced by war torn Syria. Gov. Jay Inslee has voiced his support for the refugees, but some others want to close our doors. We urge him and the entire legislature to stand by our values of compassion and inclusion and continue to welcome those seeking refuge to our state.

Based on today's statement by Governor-elect Bevin, he wants to follow other governors in refusing certain refugees. I have started to work with a local refugee organization and find it very difficult to reason with him. Instead of publicly (likely without any legal basis) refusing refugees, we send the wrong signal to those in need of our help.

I am starting this petition because Gov Wolf has received numerous objections towards his decision to accept Syrian Refugees. I want to show him that there are many people in Pennsylvania who respect and support his decision.

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.