This petition begins with a deeply personal story, steeped in unjust inequity. My brother, a human being who has served his time for a past mistake, is a convicted felon. He, like thousands of others, faces a significant barrier in securing employment because of a single checkbox - a box that asks potential employees to disclose their felony status. However, starkly in contrast, the President of the United States, also a convicted felon, faces no such requirement.

This policy amounts to discrimination and propagates unfounded stereotypes against individuals trying to reintegrate into society after paying their dues. The National Institute of Justice found that having a criminal record reduced the likelihood of a job callback or offer by approximately 50%, extending a double punishment to those who should be given a fair chance.

Moreover, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, the unemployment rate among formerly incarcerated people is over 27% - higher than the total U.S. unemployment rate during the Great Depression. This box further contributes to such disheartening statistics by effectively closing the doors to a stable life for ex-prisoners right from the start.

We ask for President Biden to issue an executive order as his last acti in office to change to this unjust policy - removing this discriminatory checkbox from job applications altogether. It is a plea for equal opportunities and a demand for justice. Sign this petition to stand with those who are working towards reclaiming their lives after incarceration. Let's give them a fair shot!