President Obama and Congress: accept substantially more Syrian, Iraqi, and Afghan refugees to the United States, immediately and in a number commensurate with our country’s size and moral standing.

Right now, millions are suffering in what has been called the largest migration of humanity since World War II. In their flight from violence and persecution, families are being destroyed; babies and children are dying excruciating, terrifying deaths. Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary leadership. History will see anything but bold action as morally disgraceful and a missed diplomatic opportunity.

Our country has a proud tradition of welcoming immigrants and refugees, but our shameful failure to accept more refugees from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan is well documented. With the crisis reaching unprecedented heights, now is the time for common sense to trump bureaucratic red tape.

One problem is that our approval process is slow. And we do have our reasons for extensive screening. But while I am an average citizen, and surely there is much I don’t understand about refugee resettlement, can we not do better?  Can we not innovate to respond to emergencies?

Some say our efforts should focus on addressing root causes of these conflicts, and on deploying resources to keep refugees closer to their homes. But as a parent to a young son, when I see mothers and fathers taking their children on perilous, life-threatening migrations, I have to believe they have no other choice. Moreover, what serious person would bet on near-term peace in these conflict zones?

It seems obvious that this crisis is only going to worsen—perhaps morph, but worsen—as more refugees stagger into European countries that are too small or preoccupied to integrate them.

Please take emergency action to accept far more refugees, and do so quickly.