Here are the facts plain and simple. There are children in crisis. A family does not without conscience send their child through dangerous miles of unspeakable violence to get to America because they feel like it. We are facing a real opportunity to step up and help our actual neighbors. Literally, our neighbors. Even if you decide not to sign this petition, please send word to your representatives that the disgusting behavior of some at the border through their yelling, policing, etc... is unacceptable and we need to support these child refugees in the same way that we supported families after other crises in our history.

We are also vehemently opposed to the xenophobic attitudes of certain organizations and citizens and the rabid misuse of these at-risk children as political pawns in our nation's current political debate.

We cannot thank Governor Patrick enough for his constant attention to basic human and civil rights. His impassioned speech on July 18th sharing Massachusetts's plan to provide shelter and care for migrant youth was inspiring, and a call to action. In an attempt to overcome the intolerant and racist reactions of some Bay Staters to Governor Patrick's proposed plan, we want to say: That is not what Massachusetts is about. We are about caring for one another, and stepping up to aid those need - ESPECIALLY children. Many of the migrant youth at our boarder have traveled up to 1,000 miles to flee unspeakable violence in their home countries. The United State has immeasurable wealth; we cannot turn these children away. We are a nation of immigrants. We would like to offer our assistance in any way possible. In a show of support we wanted to reach out to other Massachusetts residents who feel the need to do something. We are collecting a list of names of Massachusetts residents who are willing to shelter and care for one or more migrant youth during their stay in our state. As additional support to Governor Patrick's plan we want to say to those angry and intolerant residents of the Bay State; WE want to help.

We’re facing a humanitarian crisis of massive proportions that we have a moral and legal obligation to address. Thousands of starving and traumatized children have fled to our borders seeking refuge from Central American countries -- like Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala -- that are devastated by extreme gang violence and drug wars. Now Congress is trying to pass a bill that would fast track the deportation of these innocent children. The HUMANE Act seeks to overturn life-saving refugee protections -- passed during the Bush administration -- that require the U.S. to assist child refugees seeking sanctuary from countries torn with violence. If the HUMANE Act is passed and President Obama signs it into law -- which he has pledged to do -- we’ll be sending children back into a war-zone with little chance of survival. We must have the courage to stand up for the lives of these children and for the values that we hold true as a nation!

Members and Leadership of the Kansas League of United Latin American Citizens invite all who are concerned about both the humanitarian crisis and economic viability of our country to sign and support the need for Compassionate Immigration Reform and encourage leadership to take action.

Rausel Arista is an active community leader involved in the immigrant rights movement in North Carolina, and a dedicated father who was detained returning home from vacation in NY. Rausel was detained by border patrol at the Buffalo/Niagara airport in Buffalo NY the morning of July 21, 2014 by a TSA official, questioned by border patrol and ultimately arrested for flying while undocumented. Rausel has been active in the community for many years. He has worked countless hours helping others in deportation proceedings, has marched countless miles in support of humane immigration policy change, and is a loving father of two young children. Rausel is a low priority case, and is not a threat to national security. For his family, for his community - Rausel should be released and his deportation stopped.

As feared, we are beginning to see a backlash to Governor Patrick's proposal to temporarily house unaccompanied children in Massachusetts. Town council officials in Chicopee and Bourne, the two proposed sites, have expressed resolute opposition, and the Tea Party has organized anti-illegal immigrant rallies on Beacon Hill. The problem is that these children are not illegal immigrants. They have arrived at our border seeking help as they flee violent situations in their home countries. These children are not only fleeing violence and poverty, but many are in danger of becoming victims of sex-trafficking. In the face of this growing resistance, we hope to create a compassionate voice of support in favor of Governor Patrick's decision to temporarily house some of the children while they await refugee hearings. I believe that it is our responsibility to care for one another in an increasingly interdependent and violent world where many vulnerable individuals are left at risk. It is unconscionable to reject these children at a time when they are at their greatest need. Please sign if you live in Massachusetts.

In 18 months, Iowans, like myself, will help nominate the next president of the United States. We want a leader who will fight for real solutions -- not just more appeasement and political expediency. Right now, thousands of children are literally fleeing for their lives, as violence tears apart their communities in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Secretary Hillary Clinton believes these children should be immediately deported and sent “a clear message: just because your child gets across the border, that doesn’t mean the child gets to stay.” Governor O’Malley – another 2016 Democratic candidate— has a different idea: “We are not a country that should turn children away and send them back to certain death.” It's critical that we Iowans use our political power to tell candidates running for President, especially the front runner Hillary Clinton, that we want real solutions and real leadership – not just political expediency. Tell Secretary Hillary Clinton to listen to Martin O’Malley: Don’t advocate for sending children to their deaths.

America has always been a beacon of hope for those in need of refuge. While we can’t accept everyone who wants to come to America, we must follow our laws and international standards for dealing with refugees. In 2008, Congress and George W. Bush unanimously passed a human trafficking bill that dictates how we treat children fleeing violence. Under this bill, the US is required to make sure the best interests of children are paramount, that those in genuine need of safe haven do not get sent back to the violence they escaped, and that all those who claim to need protection have a full and fair proceeding before the sometimes life-or-death decision to deport a child back to violence is made. Iowa and America are strong enough to deal intelligently and compassionately with kids who have fled violence and arrive seeking safety. The last thing we need is a politician like Gov. Branstad using this humanitarian crisis as a political soap box for his re-election campaign.

Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, who has lived in the United States since he was 12 years old. In 2011, he bravely came out as an undocumented immigrant, becoming one of the most visible spokespeople in the immigration movement. Jose's recent arrest at McAllen-Miller International Airport in Texas shows the broken nature of our immigration system. That's why we're asking President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to release Jose from detention immediately.

The crisis at the border is only getting worse. So where’s President Obama? More than a month after the nation learned that thousands of families and unaccompanied children from Central America, he still hasn’t so much as visited the squalid facilities where these folks are being held and processed. Even Democratic Reps. Raul Grijalva and Henry Cuellar are calling it “Obama’s Katrina” -- another president failing to assert moral leadership at a time when it is most needed. In fact, President Obama just went to Texas -- but not for the reason you’d think. He is sweeping through Texas and other Southwestern states to raise money for elections. There’s just no excuse for this -- as the president makes decisions about the fates of these children and families, his response to this tragedy should be informed by direct experience of what these folks went through to get here and what they’re going through now that they’ve arrived. It’s telling that even now, President Obama continues to treat the flow of children into this country as an immigration issue instead of the humanitarian issue it is. He hasn’t even addressed the rise in virulent right-wing xenophobia cropping up as residents along the border turn back buses of refugees. Even Glenn Beck, the former Fox News host who once called the president a “racist” who has a “deep-seated hatred for white people” is standing up to the worst ugliness on the right, going to the border with trucks full of teddy bears, soccer balls, and food. President Obama needs to step up to the plate. These are children, not a political calculation. Tell him to visit detention facilities at the border immediately, and to speak out against the rising tide of xenophobia in US political rhetoric.

President Obama just went to Texas -- but not for the reason you’d think. Despite facing one of the worst domestic humanitarian crises in recent memory, President Obama still hasn’t so much as visited the border, or any of the squalid facilities in which families and unaccompanied children have been housed. No, President Obama is touring Texas and other Southwestern states to raise money for elections. There’s just no excuse for this -- as the president makes decisions about the fates of these children and families, his understanding of the crisis shouldn't be purely academic. His response to this tragedy should be informed by direct experience of what these folks went through to get here and what they’re going through now that they’ve arrived. It’s telling that even now, President Obama continues to treat the flow of children into this country as an immigration issue instead of the humanitarian issue it is. His mishandling of the crisis, and his detachment from the individuals and communities most affected by it, have led Reps. Raul Grijalva and Henry Cuellar to label the crisis as “Obama’s Katrina.” It’s hard to argue that they’re wrong. President Obama is failing to assert moral leadership at a time when it is most needed. He hasn’t even addressed the rise in virulent right-wing xenophobia cropping up as residents along the border turn back buses of refugees. Even Glenn Beck, the former Fox News host who once called the president a “racist” who has a “deep-seated hatred for white people” is standing up to the worst ugliness on the right, going to the border with trucks full of teddy bears, soccer balls, and food. President Obama needs to step up to the plate. These are children, not a political calculation. Tell him to visit detention facilities at the border immediately, and to speak out against the rising tide of xenophobia in US political rhetoric.