Rob Witham

Illegal Immigration

Illegal immigration is a hot topic in American news and politics. It seems that every politician has a theory of sorts but none seem able to solve the problem. Most Christians seem to have an opinion about illegal immigration too.

There are, of course, two facets of illegal immigration:

• Foreign nationals still attempting to enter the country illegally
• Foreign nationals who are already in the country illegally

Attempting to discuss illegal immigration without making a distinction between these two scenarios is not possible and only leads to confusion.

Border Security And Immigration

Every nation has the prerogative to set policies regarding who is admitted to the country. It is completely reasonable for a nation to be concerned with who is entering their national borders, how long the visitor intends to remain in the country, and whether the visitor has the means to support themselves while a guest in the country. So long as the national immigration policies are fair, equitable and just no reasonable person should find basis for complaint that a nation maintains and enforces border security.

Immigrants Already In The Country Illegally

The second component of the illegal immigration debate involves those foreigners who are already in the country illegally. Political debate now seems to center around some type of legalization program though no consensus is likely to be reached soon. Conservative politicians usually advocate some type of “round ‘em up” strategy while their more liberal counterparts usually favor some type of amnesty program.

A Christian Response To Illegal Immigration

But what is the Christian response to illegal immigration? What is the Christian response regarding those foreigners who are already in our country illegally?

If my experience is any indication there is no Christian response! I have never heard a Christian articulate anything other than their favorite politician or pundit’s immigration solution. Usually this amounts to some version of national hubris and the suggestion that we round up and immediately deport all foreigners currently within our national borders. Those Christians who talk the loudest about deporting illegal immigrants then justify their position with an argument about how much illegal immigrants cost American taxpayers or a similar comment.

Does God have nothing to say about matters as significant as this? Have Christian teachers been so silent on this issue that Christians need to mimic their favorite politician while assuming there is no Christian response? Perhaps this is only symptomatic of a deeper disease in American Christianity. For much of Western Christianity the Bible is not a pervasive lifestyle influence.

“If you want to have a spiritual life you must unify your life. A life is either all spiritual or not spiritual at all. No man can serve two masters. Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire.” (Thomas Merton)

We cannot separate our faith system from our politics and economics. Either we follow Jesus or we do not follow Jesus. If we choose to follow Jesus then every decision we make needs to be based on Whose we are. We are no longer our own but are bought with a price. Therefore, we must glorify God in all that we say or do!

The Scriptures Speak To This Issue
I think there are principles in Scripture that clearly come to bear on the question of immigrants who have entered this country illegally. I would suggest that God is concerned with the topics of immigration and amnesty. This can be seen through at least three considerations.

• We are commanded to love our neighbors and to do good to them even when that requires personal expense and sacrifice
• We are taught to love one another, prefer one another, and finally to do good to one another as we would have done to us
• We are exhorted to view the world around us in light of the spiritual battle that is unfolding, ever aware of Kingdom dynamics, with an eye toward what God is doing

Now, let’s take a few moments to unpack each of these points.

Love Our Neighbors

First, we are commanded to love our neighbors and to do good to them even when that requires personal expense and sacrifice on our part.

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10.30-37 NRSV)

Jesus’ command to us is that we love our neighbors and show them mercy: “Go and do likewise.” There is no room for debate on that point! And lest we attempt to excuse ouselves based on the fact that these are foreigners in our country recall who the characters in Jesus’ story are. The hero of this story is a hated Samaritan foreigner. Recall also why Jesus told this story in the first place:

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

It was this hearer’s hardness of heart and cynicism that prompted Jesus’ classic story! The inescapable conclusion is that everyone we see in need is our neighbor - regardless of their ethnicity or citizenship. The instruction remains true. “Go and do likewise,” even when it will cost you time and money. Following Jesus will always involve getting our hands dirty and having our agenda and schedule messed up. Following Jesus will cost us plenty - in fact, following Jesus will cost us everything.

Love One Another

Second, we are taught to love one another, prefer one another, and finally to do good to others as we would have them do to us.

Consider the following sampling of “one another” passages collected from the New Testament.

“So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13.14 NRSV)

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13.34-35 NRSV)

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15.12 NRSV)

“I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.” (John 15.17)

“Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.” (Romans 12.16 NRSV)

“Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13.8 NRSV)

“Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another.” (Romans 14.13 NRSV)

“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus” (Romans 15.5 NRSV)

“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15.7 NRSV)

“Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13.11 NRSV)

“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” (Galatians 5.13)

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5.1-2 NRSV)

“Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5.21 NRSV)

Now, that’s a lot to consider and process. However, each passage repeats the same theme. Jesus calls his followers to:

• Love one another
• Associate with the lowly
• Live in harmony with one another
• Never put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another
• Become slaves to one another
• Be subject to one another

Note that these commands are never based on the nationality or ethnicity of “others.” Where they come from does not matter - they are still our neighbors.

Our calling is never to justify ourselves and our own comfort. Our calling is to love and serve one another as we love and serve our Lord and King. Remember, all of the law and the prophets hang on these commandments.

“When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”” (Matthew 22.34-40 NRSV)

Be Aware Of What God Is Doing

Third, we are exhorted to view the world around us in light of the spiritual battle that is unfolding, ever aware of Kingdom dynamics, with an eye toward what God is doing.

I realize that “enlightened” Westerners generally prefer to believe only what they can see and prove by a scientific method. However, faith is not scientific. While faith does not require disengaging our mind it does require engaging our heart and subsequently taking a leap into the unknown and unprovable (at least in this lifetime). If we are going to follow Jesus we must accept his teaching by faith.

“Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10.3-5 NRSV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6.10-13 NRSV)

Part of being a Christian is learning to be sensitive to what God is doing around us. We cannot see the spritual realm with our eyes; we rely on prayer and spiritual communion with the God of Hosts to receive our battle orders.

I think God is allowing (if not orchestrating) this massive influx of people into the United States from around the world. I believe God has a plan unfolding that is much bigger than we often consider, much bigger than we often give God credit for.

Bringing It All Together

We have explored our Lord’s commands that we love one another and associate with the lowly. We have also explored our Lord’s commands to prepare for battle - spiritual battle. How does this all come together?

Rather than complaining about illegal immigrants in our cities perhaps Christians should recognize this situation for the incredible ministry opportunity that it is. We have spent decades sending missionaries from our country to other countries at tremendous cost. God is now bringing the world to our doorstep. Immigrants from nearly every country come to the United States each year (legally or illegally) and too many Christians do nothing but complain. Is it not amazing that God has coordinated this? Should we not rather rejoice and give God praise for the wonderful opportunity he has presented to us here in this country?

Consider the following action points:

• Instead of complaining about immigrants not learning English could we not rather offer free English language classes at our church buildings? Why complain without being willing to contribute to the solution? Offering free English language classes is a very tangible way of showing love and concern for the lowly and marginalized. This is also an incredible way to build cross-cultural relationships with immigrants in our area. There are mission agencies that use English language classes extensively as ministry opportunities abroad. It is hard to imagine this ministry model could not be adopted here at home.
• Instead of complaining about immigrants not learning English could we not rather learn their language? Insisting that others come up to our level is functionally a denial of the Gospel message. The Gospel is God stooping to our level. Don’t think for one minute that God could not have found better languages than Hebrew or Greek to communicate in. God used the language of the people he was reaching out to at the time. English is not so special either. Prefering one another and serving one another will involve reaching out to people where they are - not where we wish they were. This action could also result in real relationships with real people, a combination that translates into real opportunities to minister the love of Christ to lost and dying people. That is good news in any language.
• Instead of shunning those who are different could we not rather welcome them? Immigrants to a new country (particularly those who immigrated illegally) are often lonely and afraid. Many left family and friends behind in the search for a better life. People who are alone, isolated and struggling with language barriers are easy targets for opportunistic criminals and those who would exploit them. This same isolation creates real opportunities for American Christians who are genuniely interested in forming real relationships with people.

What Would Jesus Do

The question, “What would Jesus do?” has become so pathetically commercialized in pop culture as to be almost meaningless anymore. The argument has also been raised that, as we read the Bible, Jesus usually surprised everyone around him because they did not know what he was going to do. Nonetheless. the question is a valuable tool for those who truly attempt to follow Jesus today.

What would Jesus do if he lived in America today? I think we can safely conclude from his interactions with Samaritans, prostitutes, tax collectors, and other “sinners” of his day what Jesus would do. Jesus would probably tick off the whole church by seeking out the most marginalized and forgotten in town. There is no question that this would include those who immigrated here illegally.

If that is what Jesus would do, what will we do?

“Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.” (John 13.16 NRSV)

The Political Solution

You may have noticed that I completely avoided commenting on the ultimate political solution regarding those who are already in this country illegally. This omission was intentional. As followers of Jesus we have far greater things to be concerned with. I suspect most of us could spend the rest of our lives just working on loving those God puts in our lives.

I will limit myself to these comments:

• As followers of Jesus we need to start with truly loving and serving those around us. This includes illegal immigrants. Only after we truly embrace this should we even begin to consider what an appropriate national policy might be.
• Any national policy we do support must be fair, equitable and just. We dare not treat the alien among us poorly. God will judge us if we do.
• Any response must be rooted in love. Our response must never be based on fear, greed (masked as economic justification), pride (masked as patriotism) or any other vice that so often drives and consumes us.

I would love to hear feedback on ways we can positively respond to our changing social structure. I am also curious what Christians from other countries may have to contribute.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared as a five-part series.