We are an enormous country. We could absorb hundreds of thousands of refugees without blinking an eye. And we'll be a richer country for it. Or, we can turn them away, and damn countless people to unimaginable suffering, and be surprised in a few years if they turn embittered and violent. It's not really a choice.

FOUR MILLION children, women, and families have fled from war-torn Syria to ESCAPE violent extremism, NOT to spread it. But right-wing Republicans and some Democrats are being overpowered by fear and bigotry -- not logic, tolerance, and goodwill. They refuse to even consider allowing refugees to enter the United States, and are fast-tracking legislation to slam our doors on those who need refuge most! To these extremists in Congress, facts don’t matter. The facts are that refugees undergo a rigorous screening process that can take up to THREE YEARS, and not one terrorist attack has been committed in the U.S. by a refugee! This is the same dangerous line of thinking that leads to hate crimes and wars. Don't let our leaders toss aside our American values due to panic and paranoia.

It’s clear to the majority of Americans that our immigration policy is in desperate need of reform. It’s equally clear that if brought to a vote today, there would be enough votes in the House and the Senate to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Add your name to tell Speaker Ryan pass immigration reform this year!

Syrian families have lost their homes, their relatives, and jobs. Half of the entire country is now displaced. A small fraction has waited up to 3 years to gain entry to the US as refugees. They have passed the most rigorous screening of any immigrant to the US, ever. Now our governor has effectively refused them entry into Indiana. This policy does NOT reflect our values!

I believe in the importance of offering aid to other human beings in need, regardless of religion or their country of origin.

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.