Thanks to state Sen. Jamie Raskin for putting Gov. Larry Hogan on notice that refugees are welcome in our state ("Lawmakers urge Md. Gov. Hogan to ease stance on Syrian refugees," May 11).
Senator Raskin and 75 of his colleagues in the state legislature sent a letter to Governor Hogan stating that Syrian refugees are welcome in Maryland.
Refugees are not the enemy. As a result of the ongoing mass atrocities, crimes against humanity and war crimes being committed against the Syrian people, some 400,000 Syrians have been killed in the conflict and half the country's population has been displaced from their homes.
Nearly 1 million Syrians remain under siege in Syria, and thousands are being tortured in regime jails. At a time when walls instead of bridges are being built in this country and in Europe, the lawmakers' letter reflects the best of our nation's values and our humanity.
Thank you, Mr. Raskin for your tireless and selfless leadership.
Darren Fenwick, Silver Spring