Dear 5849376, Nearly a month ago, immigration reform activists started fasting and praying on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and will continue to do so until the bonds of families are no longer broken. For 16 days, I've fasted with them, and I plan to continue until immigration reform is no longer just a dream for 11 million aspiring Americans. Last Friday, President and Michelle Obama visited us to share a message of support. But in order for us to see real reform, we still need to pressure House Speaker John Boehner to call a vote on comprehensive immigration reform in the House of Representatives. That's why I started my own campaign on CREDOMobilize.com, which allows activists to start their own petitions. My petition, which is to House Speaker John Boehner and House leadership, says the following: It's time to make immigration reform a reality for 11 million aspiring Americans. Fix our country's broken immigration system by holding a vote on common-sense immigration reform this year. Stand in solidarity with fasting activists calling for a vote on common-sense immigration reform this year. President Obama told us, "It is not a question of whether immigration reform will pass, but how soon." But every day that the House Republican leadership refuses to allow a vote on immigration reform is one more day that families and communities will continue to be subjected to deportations, deaths on the border, exploitation at work and the fear of living in the shadows with no path to citizenship. Growing up in Indiana, I saw the effects of our broken immigration system and its impact on people I love. My home served as a "port of entry" for many family members who came here undocumented, and I saw them live in fear while being treated as if they were second-class. Some never even reached us, like my cousin Martin, who died cold, hungry, and alone in the desert after being left behind by the smuggler he paid to help him cross the border. I joined the fast to honor my family and the millions of aspiring Americans who are ready to fulfill the requirements of our citizenship -- but who have been denied the opportunity to become citizens and to fully contribute to our economy and our country. During this fast, I know that I will suffer physical hunger, but there is a deeper hunger within me -- a hunger for an end to a system that creates such misery for those who come here to escape poverty and violence. As President Obama said last week, we've already won the argument -- now it's just a question of political will. By signing my petition, you can show Speaker Boehner that you're standing with us and that you demand action on real immigration reform now. Will you join me and add your name to my petition to House Speaker John Boehner to demand that he hold a vote on common-sense immigration reform this year? Thank you for your support. Rudy López | 
