Balancing faith and policy: The Christian approach to immigration and border control
A group of people carrying supplies. (Photo by African Recipe TV from Pexels)
The challenge of legal and illegal immigration in the U.S. continues to rise. According to ABC News, "The number of migrants apprehended in a single day by the U.S. Border Patrol approached an estimated 9,000 in September 2023… The U.S. Border Patrol made 181,059 apprehensions along the southern border in August -- up from 132,648 in July. Across the Southwest, migrants were arrested or detained more than 232,000 times, the most since last December [2022].”
The United States is home to more foreign-born residents than any other country on Earth. In 2021, immigrants made up almost 14 percent of the U.S. population.
In today's complex world, the intersection of faith and public policy can be a challenging and contentious issue. One area in which this dilemma is particularly pronounced is immigration and border control. Christians, like individuals of other faiths, grapple with the question of how their beliefs should shape their stance on immigration policies.
The issue of Immigration and Border Control
Immigration holds a position of utmost importance within American society and politics. For an extensive period, policymakers have carefully assessed its multifaceted dimensions, encompassing economic considerations, matters of security, and the critical realm of human welfare. Yet, regrettably, Congress has failed to reach a harmonious agreement on comprehensive immigration reform, leaving this problem unresolved. Thus, the making of consequential choices has fallen upon the executive and judicial branches, igniting passionate deliberations at the grassroots level of state and local governance.
However, the majority of the people view immigration in a positive way. A 2022 Gallup poll found that "70 percent of Americans surveyed considered immigration to be good for the United States, a 5 percent decrease from the year prior. At the same time, however, the majority felt that illegal immigration was a "critical" threat to U.S. national security."
Biblical foundations: Immigration and foreigners
What Does the Bible Say About Immigration?
Migration: An essential feature in the history of God's people
Now, let's explore the biblical foundations of the Christian approach to immigration. Migration plays a significant role in the history of the Israelites, as depicted in the Old Testament. The patriarchs, including Abram, Isaac, and Jacob, are often referred to as travelers. There are instances where God's people had to move to escape danger, similar to modern refugees. For example, Moses fled to Midian, and David sought refuge in Moab. Additionally, there are periods when God's people lived as involuntary exiles or oppressed minorities in foreign lands. They include Joseph and the Israelites in Egypt, the exiles in Assyria, and Daniel in Babylon. The entire book of Ruth can also be seen as a story of immigration.
Christians are like immigrants
In the New Testament, the people of God are often referred to as travelers and strangers on Earth, with their true home in heaven. For example, Ephesians 2:19 says, "You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." Similarly, Philippians 3:20 mentions, "Our citizenship is in heaven." 1 Peter 2:11 speaks of being "aliens and strangers," Hebrews 11:13 describes them as "strangers and exiles on the earth." These references encourage Christians to understand the experiences of immigrants and to prioritize their allegiance to God's kingdom over their loyalty to their nation.
Being welcoming to strangers in the Old Testament
The Old Testament contains many reminders for Israel to be kind and hospitable to foreigners. They are instructed not to harm or mistreat foreigners because they themselves were once foreigners in Egypt (Exodus 22:21–23, 23:9). For instance, Leviticus 19:33–34 states, "When a stranger lives in your land, you should not mistreat them. Treat the stranger as if they were one of your own, and love them as yourself, remembering that you were once strangers in Egypt." However, just as there are responsibilities placed on Israel regarding foreigners, there are also clear expectations for the newcomers.
Seeking justice: The prophets' call for fair treatment
Throughout the Old Testament, the Hebrew prophets often spoke out against injustice and the mistreatment of foreigners and immigrants. The prophet Isaiah, for example, calls for justice and compassion, saying, "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause" (Isaiah 1:17). The prophets consistently reminded the Israelites of their duty to treat strangers and foreigners fairly and with respect.
This prophetic tradition resonates with many Christians. They see it as a call for just immigration policies that respect the dignity and rights of people seeking refuge, safety, and a better life.
Love thy neighbor
One of the central tenets of Christianity is the command to "love thy neighbor." This commandment is rooted in the Bible and is found in various forms throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus emphasized the importance of loving one's neighbor, saying, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).
For Christians, this biblical teaching is not confined to the parameters of one's local community or nation. The Christian call to love one's neighbor transcends borders and is a guiding principle in approaching immigration and border control policies. It encourages Christians to see all human beings, regardless of their national origin, as their neighbors deserving of love, compassion, and respect.
Balancing security and compassion
While Christian teachings emphasize compassion and hospitality, they also acknowledge the need for order and security. The Rule of Law is vital to a healthy community.
Romans 13:1-7 enlightens us about the imperative role of Christians adhering to the authority of the government. It reminds us of the profound significance these authorities carry as they diligently labor to uphold harmony and safeguard the very fabric of society. The harmony and balance of security and compassion present itself as a multifaceted dilemma requiring delicate consideration.
Borders are sometimes good. The idea that Christianity goes beyond borders doesn't necessarily imply that they are negative. In Deuteronomy 32:8, echoed in Acts 17:26, we can observe that God set up barriers, making distinctions between various groups of people.
In reality, the discourse concerning immigration and border control frequently revolves around policy choices, encompassing border safeguarding, visa provisions, and the admission of refugees. Christians actively engaged in the policymaking process bear the duty of harmonizing their faith with these pragmatic factors.
The parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:27. (Bible verse image from Bible Portal)
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Luke 10:27
The parable of the Good Samaritan, within the Gospel of Luke, serves as a magnificent biblical demonstration of the significance of compassion and hospitality. A tale unfolds wherein a man undergoes a brutal assault, robbery, and abandonment on the wayside. Passersby, including a priest and a Levite, coldly disregard the afflicted man's plight. Yet, a Samaritan, an outcast and despised by the Jews, pauses with empathy to assist the wounded individual. He diligently tends to his injuries and ensures his overall solace and welfare (Luke 10:25-37).
This profound parable acts as a poignant reminder to Christians. It urges them to extend their compassion and assistance to those in dire circumstances, even when they hail from contrasting backgrounds or cultures. This story instills in Christians an imperative to contemplate the well-being of immigrants and refugees who yearn for refuge and a prosperous existence away from harm's reach.
Intrinsic to the Christian faith, the approach to immigration and border control emanates the Biblical principles of compassion, justice, and hospitality. Christians are beckoned to embrace love for their neighbors, extending a helping hand to those in dire need and fervently pursuing justice for all.
Let us remember that we are all transient dwellers on a perishable Earth. Our true abode beckons in heaven.
