Peter Johnson: Trump’s immigration policies echo historic justifications used to exclude marginalized people, appealing to fear and “resource protection”.
Protesters carry signs as they march down Elm Street in opposition to President Donald Trump's policies, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in downtown Dallas.I was raised in Louisiana in a time when doors mattered.
Some doors were open to you, and some were not. You learned that early. You learned it by the way people looked at you when you stepped inside a store, or by the signs you did not even need to read because your body already knew what they meant. That is what I felt when I read about the decision to bar people from 75 countries from entering the United States. I have lived long enough to know that governments use careful language for complicated reasons. I have also lived long enough to recognize old patterns when they show up wearing new clothes.I’ve heard the explanations given for the reasoning behind this policy. I get the argument regarding the protection of our nation’s resources and preventing future dependency. I’ve heard this kind of rhetoric before. I heard it when people said Black citizens were not ready to vote. I heard it when they said integration would strain the system. I heard it when they said poor folks simply needed to work harder. Those words always sound reasonable until you ask whom they are aimed at.Most immigrants don’t want charity; they want a shot at getting ahead and standing on their own two feet. Many of those whose lives will be impacted by this decision aren’t trying to cut corners or find an easy way around the system. They are attempting to follow the rules and regulations as established, wait patiently for their turn, fill out the paperwork, pay their fees and trust they’ll get a fair hearing.The teaching from Scripture to care for the stranger, as well as to remember that we were once strangers ourselves, was never an abstract concept to me. While growing up Black in the South, I learned early on what it felt like to be judged before speaking, assessed before being known.What frightens me most isn’t just whom we’re keeping out, but what kind of people we become when we let fear dictate our choices. A country can secure its borders and still maintain a compassionate heart. Protecting one doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the other.I do not believe that America is at her best when she evaluates human worth based upon perceived utility. I have witnessed too many individuals viewed through such a lens, only to later discover that they would prove to be blessings no one could have anticipated. When considering the caregivers, the workers, the students, the spouses and the children who may never make it here , because we deemed them a risk rather than a promise, it troubles me greatly. While I continue to believe that this country can do much better, I firmly believe that we can be wise without being cold-hearted, cautious without being callous, and powerful without losing our souls. And that begins by telling the truth gently and clearly. If nearly all of the doors to opportunities in this country are closed to people of color, we need to stop long enough to ask why. Doors matter. They always have.Peter Johnson has been a civil rights leader in Dallas since 1969. He is a Dallas Morning News contributing columnist. His columns are written with assistance from Don Robinson, executive director of the Peter Johnson Institute for Non-Violence.Live updates: North Texas freezes Saturday as sleet, ice begin to coat DFW roads, highways
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ballet West brings 'Peter Pan' to life with breathtaking choreographyBallet West's production of Peter Pan is guaranteed to dazzle audience members of all ages.Adam Sklute joined Fresh Living to discuss all the exciting details.
Read more »
Bitcoin Beats S&P 500 Since ETF Launch, Analyst Rebuts Peter SchiffPeter Schiff claimed Bitcoin is now one of Wall Street’s worst-performing assets, renewing his long-running criticism.
Read more »
Metro SA Chamber hosts Bexar County Judge Democratic Candidate Forum with Peter Sakai, Ron NirenbergThe Metro SA Chamber will host a forum on Friday morning for Democrats running for Bexar County judge in the March primary.
Read more »
Peter Dinklage swears he really does want to have the new Poker FaceDinklage has doubled down on his commitment to taking over the series—if Rian Johnson can find the show a new home.
Read more »
National prep wrestling powerhouse Blair too much for No. 2 St. Peter’s PrepFor the second year in a row, the Bucs beat the Marauders.
Read more »
Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai compares recent ICE raids to Japanese American internment campsRecent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids across the country have drawn national and local attention, including from Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai.
Read more »