The president continues to make a case to the public for his unpopular plan to bring Syrian refugees to the United States.

During his annual Thanksgiving Day radio address President Obama compared the Syrian refugees to the Pilgrims, who fled religious persecution. America's greatness "comes from our generosity" said the president, addressing concerns that terrorists will sneak in to the U.S. with refugee status.

“Nearly four centuries after the Mayflower set sail, the world is still full of pilgrims — men and women who want nothing more than the chance for a safer, better future for themselves and their families,” Obama said. “What makes America America is that we offer that chance.”

Concerns about the Syrian refugees has been raised by at least 30 state governors, GOP presidential candidates, and Congress.

Obama said his plan to accept 10,000 refugees is in line with American traditions, but recent polling shows that less than one-third of Americans want the refugees allowed in to the country.

The president said to his listeners that Americans have written to him, willing to do whatever they can to help the Syrians.

“One woman from Pennsylvania wrote to me to say, ‘Money is tight for us . . . but I have a guest room. I have a pantry full of food. We can do this,’ ” Obama said.