WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today announced that his online petition opposing President Obama’s intention to close Guantanamo Bay by executive order has reached more than 11,000 signatures. That number continues to climb as Obama pushes his plan to release known terrorists onto the U.S. mainland.

“The president is ignoring the law and the will of the American people by threatening to use an executive order to close Guantanamo Bay,” said Roberts. “I’m pleased we have had so many Americans take action to show their opposition to this dictatorial action by the president. I hope President Obama will listen to the American people, especially the thousands of Kansans that have signed this petition, who have very real fears about this security risk being forced into their communities.”

“Unfortunately, the president has proven he will again go around Congress and act alone to fulfill his campaign promises, but I will use every legislative tool at my disposal to ensure that the American people are heard and stop the president from moving a single detainee to the U.S.”

Roberts has said the president is ignoring his duty to protect our national security and that Congress has passed a law explicitly prohibiting the president from closing Guantanamo Bay. He said “allowing GITMO terrorists to step foot in the U.S. is in direct violation of that duty and commitment to the American people. We should not stand for this president, or any future president, to threaten our national security by executive order.”

The petition remains open to signatures. Those interested in stopping President Obama from closing Guantanamo Bay by Executive Order and bringing terrorists to Kansas or anywhere else in the United States may sign the petition at: http://roberts.senate.gov/take-action-gitmo/

The petition, launched in November, will be shared with the White House to ensure the frustrations of those who believe relocating terrorists to the mainland is a threat to national security are heard.

Senator Roberts recorded a PSA encouraging Kansans to sign the petition. To download the 60 second PSA click here. For longer audio click here.

Roberts has been an outspoken opponent against closing the United States’ current detainment facilities due to the high security risks and economic costs.  Roberts has actively fought the Obama Administration’s efforts to transfer Guantanamo detainees to the mainland, particularly to Ft. Leavenworth. Roberts placed a hold on the administration’s nominee for Secretary of the Army in September. In 2009, he fought the administration, including placing legislative holds on nominees, which successfully prevented its plan to consider housing detainees at Ft. Leavenworth.

In November, Roberts, along with Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), hosted a press conference on this issue. To view footage of that press conference, click here. Senator Roberts also took his concerns to the Senate floor. For those remarks, click here.