Many Work To Get Md. Gov. To Change Mind About Accepting Refugees

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Dozens protested against Governor Larry Hogan Monday, outraged over his stance on not welcoming Syrian refugees into Maryland.

Rick Ritter has more on the growing backlash surrounding Syrian refugees following the terror attacks in Paris.

Refugees have asked to meet with Governor Hogan, who has said he'll talk to anyone but that this position is very clear---and not going to change.

An intense push with harsh words for Governor Hogan. Controversy over Syrian refugees shows no signs of dying down.

"That does not belong in our government, in the United States," said Julie McGregor. "It just doesn't belong."

Protesters like Monday night's are furious over the governor closing Maryland's doors to refugees.

"The governor is wrong for doing it," said Andre Powell.

Hogan labels them a security threat while others point to thousands running from the horror of ISIS.

"They basically have to live the way they're told to live or die," McGregor said.

A new CBS poll shows that 47% of Americans believe Syrian refugees should be allowed in the country with more screening but a little more than half don't think they should be allowed at all.

"We just want assurance that proper vetting is taking place and proper procedures are being followed," Hogan said.

Hogan was drilled about his stance Monday and denies he's turning his back on people in need.

"They're wrong. They're absolutely wrong," he said.

Hogan's far from alone. Senator Marco Rubio has publicly supported a block, as well. The White House is planning to accept 10,000 refugees next year---plans that could be in serious doubt.

"It's not that we don't want to accept people coming into the country," Rubio said. "It's that we cannot, that we cannot conduct effective background checks."

According to the State Department, 35 Syrian refugees have settled in Maryland since January.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has said turning our backs on refugees would be going against our values as Americans.

The new CBS poll sampled 1,205 adults nationwide. It has a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.