UPDATED: December 5, 2013
November 19, 2013
Fast for Families presented a letter to House Speaker John Boehner requesting that he call a vote for immigration reform. In the letter, constituents from various organizations, unions, and faith based groups cite the incredible mark of 2,000,000 deportations of immigrants as a tragedy.
The letter goes on to paraphrase Dr. Martin luther King Jr saying that this is the moment, that this is our time to allow the moral arc of the universe to achieve its goal of justice.
UPDATE: President Obama and Mrs. Obama visited the Fast 4 Families tent on the National Mall on Friday November 29.
President Obama said he appreciated the efforts of the activists. He said, "We are very proud of you. I remain optimistic that we're going to get this done. Its more of a question of when, not if. But I'd rather get it done sooner rather than later because each day, obviously, it's not done makes it more difficult because we still have a system that's not working for too many people."
Obama says there is still time this year for the House to pass legislation. "Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come," He said.
November 19, 2013
Dear Speaker Boehner:
As you may know, we have been fasting since November 12 on the National Mall. We are fasting because of the terrible toll that this broken immigration system is inflicting on immigrants, our communities and on the values of our great nation of immigrants. Last year 463 people died in the desert trying to come to America in search of the American Dream. This month, we will reach the incredible mark of 2,000,00 deportations of immigrants.
Mr. Speaker, these are not just numbers. Behind each one is a real human being, with a real family who are now left to grieve and wonder about the fate of a loved one who left full of hope and optimism and were never heard from again; mothers and fathers who are left to raise their children without the support and love of their spouse who was deported and who now have to answer their children's unanswerable questions about "where is daddy?; where is mommy?; when are they coming home?"; of sons and daughters who cannot say their final goodbyes to a parent who died because they cannot travel due to their immigration status.
We submit to you, Mr. Speaker, this is an American tragedy that cries out for resolution and leadership.
Mr. Speaker, you have the unique power to end this unnecessary suffering by calling for a vote on immigration reform. You have stated that you want "the House to work its will." Yet, you refuse to allow a vote to make that happen. Mr. Speaker, we don't understand why that is so when you have said that "inaction is not an option." What more proof do you need? What more needs to be said about the urgent need to address this problem? We know that you have said that there is no time in the legislative calendar to take up immigration reform. But we know that the legislative calendar was not ordained by God; mandated by the Constitution or required by a resolution adopted by a vote of the House of Representatives. This calendar is set by you - and you have the power to changes or extend it at your pleasure. There are 43 days left before the end of the year, more than enough time to vote and fix this broken immigration system.
While we understand and appreciate your wish to work part-time for the rest of the year while receiving the benefits of full-time employment, immigrants and working people don't have that luxury. We have to show up and do our jobs every day, let our pay get docked or be fired for dereliction of duty. Like us, working people, we need the House to show up and do its job. Again, as you have eloquently said, "inaction is not an option."
Mr. Speaker, every day that goes by more people will die and more families will be torn apart. As a nation we, and you as Speaker, cannot allow this to continue. Surely our hearts and our faith require us to act to end this suffering. Every life that is lost, all children who cry themselves to sleep yearning for their father or mother, demand that we answer for our actions or inactions.
We firmly believe that every person is precious in the eyes of our God. If they are precious, are they not more important than eating turkey or opening presents? Are they not worthy of enjoying the benefits and protection of our great country? Are we not called by our God to be our brothers and sisters keepers?
At the Fast for Families Tent I was given a flyer stipulating that pro-immigration reform leaders and activist began fasting every day and night in front of the Capitol steps, to send a clear and visible message to Congress on November 12. They are calling on the conscience of Congress to schedule a vote and end this moral crisis for 11 million aspiring Americans.
November 19, 2013
The letter quotes The Speaker of the House as saying "inaction is not an option." The letter then points out that while the House works part time while receiving full-time payment, working class people don't have that luxury. It also states that we as Americans cannot allow this to continue because we are called by our God to be our brothers and sisters keepers.
The letter concludes with a request for a meeting to discuss the matter promising to follow up if they don't hear from Boehners office. The letter is signed by various union leaders, local leaders, non-profits and faith organizations.
To date, Boehner has yet to yield to the demands.
Letter to Congress:
Speaker John Boehner
U.S. House of Representatives
Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Speaker Boehner:
As you may know, we have been fasting since November 12 on the National Mall. We are fasting because of the terrible toll that this broken immigration system is inflicting on immigrants, our communities and on the values of our great nation of immigrants. Last year 463 people died in the desert trying to come to America in search of the American Dream. This month, we will reach the incredible mark of 2,000,00 deportations of immigrants. 
Mr. Speaker, these are not just numbers. Behind each one is a real human being, with a real family who are now left to grieve and wonder about the fate of a loved one who left full of hope and optimism and were never heard from again; mothers and fathers who are left to raise their children without the support and love of their spouse who was deported and who now have to answer their children's unanswerable questions about "where is daddy?; where is mommy?; when are they coming home?"; of sons and daughters who cannot say their final goodbyes to a parent who died because they cannot travel due to their immigration status. 
Mr. Speaker, you have the unique power to end this unnecessary suffering by calling for a vote on immigration reform. You have stated that you want "the House to work its will." Yet, you refuse to allow a vote to make that happen. Mr. Speaker, we don't understand why that is so when you have said that "inaction is not an option." What more proof do you need? What more needs to be said about the urgent need to address this problem? We know that you have said that there is no time in the legislative calendar to take up immigration reform. But we know that the legislative calendar was not ordained by God; mandated by the Constitution or required by a resolution adopted by a vote of the House of Representatives. This calendar is set by you - and you have the power to changes or extend it at your pleasure. There are 43 days left before the end of the year, more than enough time to vote and fix this broken immigration system.While we understand and appreciate your wish to work part-time for the rest of the year while receiving the benefits of full-time employment, immigrants and working people don't have that luxury. We have to show up and do our jobs every day, let our pay get docked or be fired for dereliction of duty. Like us, working people, we need the House to show up and do its job. Again, as you have eloquently said, "inaction is not an option."
As Pope Francis has said, "Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chess board of humanity." Mr. Speaker, we believe that this is the moment, that this is our time, paraphrasing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to allow the moral arc of the universe to achieve its goal of justice.
We can be reached at our Fast for Families tent located at the National Mall at the corner of Third and Jefferson Streets or you can call us at 202-256-4335.
We can be reached at our Fast for Families tent located at the National Mall at the corner of Third and Jefferson Streets or you can call us at 202-256-4335.
We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet with you. Please let us know when we can do so. If we don't hear from your office, we will follow up to arrange a meeting.
Thank you for your kind consideration of our request.
Signed Sincerely by,
Elisco Medina @SEIU
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) http://www.seiu.org/
Reverend Samuel Rodriguez @nhclc
NHCLC, Hispanic Evangelical Association http://www.nhclc.org/en
Cristian Avila
Mi Familia Vota http://www.mifamiliavota.us/
Dae Joong Yoon @miryoon
National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) http://nakasec.org/blog/
Reverend Michael Livingston
Interfaith Worker Justice http://www.iwj.org/
Sang Hyung Jung
National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) http://nakasec.org/blog/
S.J. Jung @MinKwonCenter
MinKwon Center for Community Action http://www.minkwon.org/
Mary Grillo @SEIU
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) http://www.seiu.org/
Tom Weis, President
Climate Crisis Solutions http://www.climatecrisissolutions.com/
Shoshanah Kay, OEF
Order of Ecumenical Franciscans http://www.franciscans.com/
Elena Medina @SEIU
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) http://www.seiu.org/
Elizabeth Medina
Maya Median
Alesa Mackool @SEIU
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) http://www.seiu.org/
FR. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM
Chair of the JPIC Directorate of Holy Province http://www.hnp.org/jpic/directorate.cfm
Patrick Carolan @FranciscanEarth
Franciscan Action Network http://www.franciscanaction.org/
Lucy Tzunun @MaketheRoadNY
Make The Road New York http://www.maketheroad.org/
Gina Sanchez
PAZ
Mary Kay Henry @MaryKayHenry
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) http://www.seiu.org/
Marco Grimaldo
Virginia Interfaith Center http://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/
Dr. Barbara Williams Skinner @Williamsskinner
African-American Clergy Network
Lisa Sharon Harper @lisasharper
Sojourners http://sojo.net/
The flyer also states: Every day 1,100 people are deported because of our broken immigration system. It's a moral criss that is tearing apart our families and our communities. After praying for their families, our consciences demand we act.
We need reform immediately that ends this suffering and injustice and keeps families together. We cannot allow this moral crisis to go on, and now we're putting our bodies on the line. Please Join Us Now
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
* Visit the fasters on the National Mall, at the Community Tent on 3rd St SW in DC
* Become a Solidarity Faster for 1-3 days, or longer
* Be a Volunteer you can e-mail: fast4families@gmail.com
or call Lorena: 240-353 7362
* To be a Faster call Adrian Garcia: 202-615 9621
FAST.PRAY.ACT
#Fast4Families
#TimeIsNow
