During this "immigration week of action"--while labor, faith and immigrant rights activists hold vigils, rallies, and press events across the country--one small group in Homestead, Florida is raising the stakes. Today marks the 13th day of a fast by six courageous activists, who are risking their lives to raise awareness about the hardship for communities and families when the government removes productive and peaceful loved ones from their midst.

After eating their last meal on December 31, 2009, Francisco Agustin, Jenny Aguilar, Jonathon Fried, Wilfredo Mendoza and Sebastian Caña committed to consume only liquids until the Obama Administration responds to their request to suspend deportations of undocumented immigrants with U.S. family members. As part of their demands, Fast for Our Families is asking DHS Secretary Napolitano to meet directly with fasters so that she can hear first-hand the cost of further delay on an overhaul of our broken immigration system.

Current detentions and deportations, the group says, are not only devastating for immigrant communities but are also wasting limited resources when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) needs to focus on serious criminals and U.S. security risks. The tremendous resources wasted on deporting hard-working immigrants is out of line with U.S. values and makes little strategic sense as the Obama administration simultaneously commits to passing comprehensive reform this year.

So far, the call from Homestead, has gained national attention and inspired solidarity fasts across the country from activists who are frustrated that comprehensive immigration reform has not yet moved in Washington. These heart-felt actions in communities across the country mark a trend of field escalations that will continue until lawmakers make serious on their promise to overhaul a broken immigration system that has festered for far too long.

From the more than 1,000 mile march of DREAM students from Miami to Washington to a massive march planned to boycott Arizona Sheriff Arpaio, immigrant rights groups are finding new, creative ways to put a face on today's broken immigration system. Simply put--they will not back down until Congress and the Obama administration passes a smart, comprehensive overhaul that truly protects immigrant families, strengthens the U.S. economy, and gets undocumented immigrants into the system. And until Congress acts, they'll continue pressuring the Obama Administration to do everything they can to protect the human rights of immigrant families.

You can help support the fasters in Homestead, Florida! Fast for Families is asking for supporters to:

• Write a letter to the Department of Homeland Security asking Secretary Napolitano to meet with the fasters: http://ow.ly/VCC0
• Have lunch at your desk while visiting the Fasters: Watch their live stream daily at noon ET
• Send them a supportive Tweet (@fastforfamilies) and
• Become a fan of their Facebook page

To learn more, go their website at www.fastforourfamilies.org where they share daily updates of the fasters' progress. And don't forget to take action to support their cause.