My name is Elmer Ovando. I have 3 daughters; two of whom are U.S. citizens. I do not have a criminal record, but I am still facing possible deportation. I pay my taxes and have strong ties to my community. Since arriving here, I have been an active member in my church. As a member of Familias Unidas, I have been working to help other families that are facing the same situation as my own, to keep their families together. My dream is to stay here and see my beautiful daughters grow up and realize their dreams. I would like to continue contributing to this country that has given me so many opportunities. With your help I hope to stop my deportation so that I can stay with my family. Thank you for your support and may God bless you.

On August 1st, House Bill 216-192 was passed. The intent of this bill is to block funding for the continuation and/or expansion of the DACA program and make ALL DREAMers deportable. As a nation, we have a fundamental responsibility to protect ALL children, regardless of their country of origin. We understand that ALL children are inherently unique and deserve a chance to succeed in life. We must not allow any child to be relegated to a life in the shadows of despair. We must encourage all children to DREAM. We must protect DACA. Please sign this petition urging President Obama and the Senate to VOTE NO on House Bill 216-192.

Over 50,000 children have entered the United States from Central American countries like El Salvador and Guatemala. The GOP wants these children to be immediately deported back to unsafe, unstable communities.

They are small, as our own children are small. They are alone and afraid. Tens of thousands of child refugees from Central America are arriving at the U.S. border without anyone to protect them, many driven from their homes by organized crime, gangs, and violence. The average age of the child refugees is thirteen years old, and approximately 40% are girls. [1] Even girls who are little more than preschool-aged are being targeted by gangs and criminals in Central America. Leaving their countries is often a last resort. If these child refugees are sent back from the U.S., then many face additional threats of violence and even death.[2] This is a humanitarian emergency. As a nation, we need to behave according to our values by treating all child refugees fairly and humanely. We must also recognize that these refugees are children -- and do our best to treat child refugees as well as possible given the difficult circumstances. Help speak up for them. Sign now! [1] "A Refugee Crisis, Not an Immigration Crisis", New York Times, July 11, 2014 [2] "Fleeing Gangs, Children Head to U.S. Border", New York Times, July 9, 2014

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.