Opening Your Doors Though Ignorant of Who Might Be Knocking

Like many in California, I paid attention to what newly installed governor Gavin Newsom had to say during his inauguration speech on Monday. Like many Californians, his love for the state is obvious– a good thing since he’s going to be running it for the next four years. And his little boy – well, Dutch pretty much stole the show during his daddy’s inauguration speech.

However, maybe I watched too many scary movies, but it seems to me that you never just open your door when you don’t know who is standing at the threshold. I am talking about illegal immigration and, to this voter, it is obvious that “illegal immigrant” is not in our governor’s vocabulary.

In referring to the big-heartedness of Californians, Newsom referenced going to San Diego and seeing “volunteers providing relief to desperate migrants who others treat like criminals.” He spoke of creating a “California for all,” of not “having one house … for the native-born and one for the rest. We will build one house for one California.” He said that all kids should have a good life in California “not ripped away from their parents at the border … Not left hungry while politicians seek to pour billions into a wall that should never be built.”

His all-embracing attitude might be considered admirable if he also offered a solution to curbing the thousands who pour into our country illegally, if he could determine who is a threat to our country and who just wants a chance to earn a living.

And while the governor pledges to every California “no matter what comes at us, I will have your back,” he might want to tell that to the family of Officer Ron Singh who was killed the day after Christmas by a suspect who is in the country illegally.

I applaud the governor’s enthusiasm for California and welcome all who come from around the world to make the state their home – all I ask is that they knock and identify themselves before coming in. After all, that’s the right thing to do.