Former Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-Md.) says the United States should offer to take in at least 65,000 refugees from Syria by 2016.

O’Malley said America’s history as a cultural melting pot should inspire action to help Europe deal with the growing number of displaced Syrians.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Americans are a generous and compassionate people,” he said in a statement. “But today our policies are falling short of those values.

“We must do more to support Syrian refugees — and we must certainly welcome more than the proposed 5,000 to 8,000 refugees next year,” said O’Malley, a 2016 Democratic presidential candidate.

“I support the call from humanitarian and refugee organizations for the United States to accept at least 65,500 Syrian refugees next year,” he added.

“If Germany – a country with one-fourth our population – can accept 800,000 refugees this year, certainly we – the nation of immigrants and refugees - can do more.”

Europe is grappling with the humanitarian crisis presented by millions of Syrians fleeing their country’s devastating civil war.

The flood of refugees is overwhelming European border security and stretching resources. O’Malley argued on Friday that the continent’s immigration crisis shows the reach overseas problems can have in an increasingly connected world.

“With more than 4 million Syrian refugees fleeing war and famine, they now comprise the second-largest refugee population in the world,” he said.

“As Europe is becoming increasingly aware, we are not immune from the injustices and tragedies that unfold outside our borders,” the former Maryland governor added.

Syria has been embroiled in civil war between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and rebels since early 2011.

The conflict is further complicated by the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and its quest for a self-described caliphate centered there.