To the editor:

Virtually every home in America has walls and a door (or doors) which are most of the time closed and sometimes locked. Some homes also have fences and security systems and perhaps even walls to insure safety and protect property.

Welcome family members are able to come in to a home without knocking or ringing a bell. Sometimes they are told where a key is in case they come when the door is locked.

However, as a matter of courtesy, when non-family, whether friends or strangers, come to the door they knock or ring and wait till someone answers the door.

The custom of expecting that someone knock or ring is not meant to say that those inside are assuming their visitor is a threat, a danger, or someone undesirable. The owner of the home is exercising his right of privacy, the right to enjoy the company of those with whom he chooses, and the right to protect his property. He has the right to judge whether this is someone who is welcome. The visitor is merely being considerate.

The Obamas, the Clintons, Nancy Pelosi, and others who are against walls in the US and in favor of open borders all have closed doors and locks on their homes. They most likely have special security. They have fences or walls around their property. No one would say that this is antiquated or that they are unloving because they take advantage of these means to assure safety and privacy in their homes.

It stands to reason that our country — our home — which has always in the past welcomed non-citizen friends and strangers, should also have closed doors, fences, and yes, even walls. Family (our citizens) are able to walk right in. Others should be expected to “knock” or “ring” so that we, the citizens of the United States, are able to exercise our rights for security and the protection of our property. Then we are able to look to see who is at the door and welcome visitors with open arms, as well as keep those out who might be undesirable.

I don’t think any of us has an “open door policy” in his/her home which allows strangers indiscriminately to come in unannounced and assume they may have free rein to use anything in our home without asking. We protect and care for our families and try to make wise use of our property, sharing as we are able.

Having walls and closed doors at our borders does not mean we are an unfriendly, unwelcoming nation. The greeting “Welcome. Come in!” will often be the response to a knock or ring. If there are those in need who wish to enter we will, out of love, consider what we can do for them. There may also be those we turn away for legitimate reasons. Let’s build walls and close the door, so we can open our arms to those who knock, welcoming them as visitors, guests, and perhaps as eventual members of our family. Then they will never be made to feel like intruders.

Mary Thom for The Journal, New Ulm, Minnesota