“My mother left Cuba to come to the United States by herself.
She was an eight year old undocumented immigrant.” Bobby Cannavale
Currently, there’s a bill before Congress on immigration called The
Dignity Act that has bipartisan support. Will it finally take positive
steps forward to solve our immigration, legal and illegal, problem? I hope so.
Yet, it’s been nearly 40 years (1986) since Congress passed any reforms in our immigration
laws, but the problem has only grown worse.
Christians are first and foremost citizens of heaven. It’s wrong when Christ-followers mime the political position of their political party yet are ignorant of biblical truth. When we align our positions on ethical issues with politics rather than Scripture, it’s idolatry.
What does the Bible teach? Christians are to be merciful toward immigrants. “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:33-34). Jesus echoed that same truth in Matthew 25:35. As citizens of God’s Kingdom, Christians should seek to influence the nation that they’re earthly citizens of to have a compassionate immigration policy.
So what should we do about illegal immigration? It’s very complex and no one has all of the answers, yet believers must have God’s Word as their resource for working through issues like these. Also, other than Native Americans, we’re all immigrants and must be committed to finding safe, reasonable ways for others to come to America, particularly those facing religious persecution or political oppression.
While the political focus is on illegal immigration and our borders, I believe we should be first focused on those who are already here. God is not the God of fear. It’s morally wrong that we have those living among us who live in fear of being pulled over for a minor infraction because it might mean deportation. It’s estimated that there over 11 million illegal immigrants in the States. It’s twice the population of Wisconsin. Some 20% were brought in as children. For example, I have a friend brought to the States as a baby yet has worked for years here. My friend doesn’t have a birth certificate so has tremendous difficulty applying for citizenship.
Scripture has two virtues that help us develop a biblical worldview of illegal immigration: Justice and Mercy. The Bible teaches that God ordains government to secure justice for those under its jurisdiction, in part by making and enforcing laws, including immigration laws. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that Christians must exhibit mercy. While government should enforce immigration laws, justice never justifies harshness. All immigrants are Imago Dei. It’s offensive to God to treat immigrants (legal or illegal) as subhuman. And who among us wouldn’t risk illegally immigrating to protect our children? Let me suggest some considerations to help us develop a biblical perspective.
There should be a means of deportation for criminals. It’s a known fact that Drug Cartels take advantage of our lax approach to illegal immigration to import illegal drugs. Illegal immigrants who break major laws like drug trafficking, sex trafficking or violent crimes or who have a criminal record for serious crimes in their nation of origin should be deported.
There should be simple, multiple paths to legal status or citizenship. It shouldn’t cost thousands for an illegal currently living here to secure citizenship. Yes, they should have to work a certain amount of time once they’ve applied for citizenship and can’t remain if unwilling to work. Documentation like birth certificates should be simplified or even waived depending on circumstances. Birth certificates in the U.S. weren’t common until after World War II. Imagine what it’s like in 3rd world countries? Dreamers are often victims in their documentation situation and shouldn’t be penalized for decisions made by others which they had no input in.
There should be incentives for selected immigrants. Imagine how impoverished our country would be if Albert Einstein hadn’t been allowed to flee to America to escape the Nazis. Or Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State under presidents Nixon and Ford. Kissinger’s Jewish family fled Germany in response to rising Nazism. Artists like Gloria Estefan are here because her parents fled Communist Cuba.
We have a doctor and engineer shortage. Those who will benefit our country should be given incentives to come and become citizens.
There should be a system in place, not amnesty for those who entered illegally. We should not simply grant amnesty to those who’ve broken the law. If undocumented immigrants wish to gain legal status, we should allow it, but it’s unjust to place them ahead of those already pursuing the progress legally. Undocumented immigrants should first undergo criminal background checks and pay some back taxes for previously undocumented income. Going to “the back of the line” doesn’t mean that they’d be deported, but they should only receive provisional documentation while waiting to either receive their green card or citizenship. And there should be a deadline to apply for legal status so undocumented immigrants will come forward in a timely manner.
Alexis de Tocqueville believed America’s greatness was birthed by her moral goodness, especially the moral fiber of her people and government. If we want America to be great, we must do our part to help her be morally good. God has called us to a higher calling than partisan politics – we are to be salt and light for His glory. While there are no simple answers, as citizens of heaven we must encourage a commitment to justice and mercy.
Christians are first and foremost citizens of heaven. It’s wrong when Christ-followers mime the political position of their political party yet are ignorant of biblical truth. When we align our positions on ethical issues with politics rather than Scripture, it’s idolatry.
What does the Bible teach? Christians are to be merciful toward immigrants. “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:33-34). Jesus echoed that same truth in Matthew 25:35. As citizens of God’s Kingdom, Christians should seek to influence the nation that they’re earthly citizens of to have a compassionate immigration policy.
So what should we do about illegal immigration? It’s very complex and no one has all of the answers, yet believers must have God’s Word as their resource for working through issues like these. Also, other than Native Americans, we’re all immigrants and must be committed to finding safe, reasonable ways for others to come to America, particularly those facing religious persecution or political oppression.
While the political focus is on illegal immigration and our borders, I believe we should be first focused on those who are already here. God is not the God of fear. It’s morally wrong that we have those living among us who live in fear of being pulled over for a minor infraction because it might mean deportation. It’s estimated that there over 11 million illegal immigrants in the States. It’s twice the population of Wisconsin. Some 20% were brought in as children. For example, I have a friend brought to the States as a baby yet has worked for years here. My friend doesn’t have a birth certificate so has tremendous difficulty applying for citizenship.
Scripture has two virtues that help us develop a biblical worldview of illegal immigration: Justice and Mercy. The Bible teaches that God ordains government to secure justice for those under its jurisdiction, in part by making and enforcing laws, including immigration laws. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that Christians must exhibit mercy. While government should enforce immigration laws, justice never justifies harshness. All immigrants are Imago Dei. It’s offensive to God to treat immigrants (legal or illegal) as subhuman. And who among us wouldn’t risk illegally immigrating to protect our children? Let me suggest some considerations to help us develop a biblical perspective.
There should be a means of deportation for criminals. It’s a known fact that Drug Cartels take advantage of our lax approach to illegal immigration to import illegal drugs. Illegal immigrants who break major laws like drug trafficking, sex trafficking or violent crimes or who have a criminal record for serious crimes in their nation of origin should be deported.
There should be simple, multiple paths to legal status or citizenship. It shouldn’t cost thousands for an illegal currently living here to secure citizenship. Yes, they should have to work a certain amount of time once they’ve applied for citizenship and can’t remain if unwilling to work. Documentation like birth certificates should be simplified or even waived depending on circumstances. Birth certificates in the U.S. weren’t common until after World War II. Imagine what it’s like in 3rd world countries? Dreamers are often victims in their documentation situation and shouldn’t be penalized for decisions made by others which they had no input in.
There should be incentives for selected immigrants. Imagine how impoverished our country would be if Albert Einstein hadn’t been allowed to flee to America to escape the Nazis. Or Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State under presidents Nixon and Ford. Kissinger’s Jewish family fled Germany in response to rising Nazism. Artists like Gloria Estefan are here because her parents fled Communist Cuba.
We have a doctor and engineer shortage. Those who will benefit our country should be given incentives to come and become citizens.
There should be a system in place, not amnesty for those who entered illegally. We should not simply grant amnesty to those who’ve broken the law. If undocumented immigrants wish to gain legal status, we should allow it, but it’s unjust to place them ahead of those already pursuing the progress legally. Undocumented immigrants should first undergo criminal background checks and pay some back taxes for previously undocumented income. Going to “the back of the line” doesn’t mean that they’d be deported, but they should only receive provisional documentation while waiting to either receive their green card or citizenship. And there should be a deadline to apply for legal status so undocumented immigrants will come forward in a timely manner.
Alexis de Tocqueville believed America’s greatness was birthed by her moral goodness, especially the moral fiber of her people and government. If we want America to be great, we must do our part to help her be morally good. God has called us to a higher calling than partisan politics – we are to be salt and light for His glory. While there are no simple answers, as citizens of heaven we must encourage a commitment to justice and mercy.
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