A Christian Response to the Immigration Problem

 Several years ago, I wrote a piece called “Man the Lifeboats.” At the time, the situation at our border with Mexico was going from bad to worse. Since that time, the policies of the current administration in Washington have multiplied the problems exponentially. When I originally wrote the article, I was accused of being xenophobic – that I hated foreigners. That was not true then, and it is not true now. I love with the love of Christ all people regardless of their ethnic or national origin. This means I care about how they are treated. I sympathize with people who due to political or economic conditions find it difficult to stay where they are. I just don’t know the best way to show that love and sympathy.

A few months ago, Phillip Yancey wrote about a church near the southern border that was attempting to put a face and hands on the Jesus who loves the people who are streaming into America illegally. I wrote a response to Yancey in which I agreed in principle but disagreed with his conclusions. Since then, I have been struggling to come up with a Christian solution to the immigration problem. There is no dispute that individual Christians are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless when possible. The greater problem is how a secular government can do its duty to its citizens while providing something like Christian charity to the immigrants.

My suggestions address several aspects of the problem. First, we must close the border. Completely. This is a primary role of American government according to our Constitution: protect its citizens by maintaining border control. Without borders, a country is simply a land mass and not a nation. With uncontrolled immigration, real enemies and essential threats to our way of life will flood the country. Read the statistics; they already have. Set aside the criminals and terrorists for a moment. The innocent families that flock to our country for a taste of the American dream are causing a tremendous strain on an already busted budget. As I wrote in “Man the Lifeboats,” we cannot rescue every person in the world who wants to come here. If we try, we will sink our own boat. It is the responsibility of our federal government to assure that that does not happen.

Once we slam the door on illegal immigration, we must apply the immigration laws that are on the books. We welcome anyone who comes here legally. We apply due diligence to assure that they are not going to bring us grief if we let them in. Yes, I know the wait to enter legally is up to ten years in some cases. There is a reason for that: we can only absorb a limited number of new people at a time. This allows the immigrant to become a productive member of society, thereby contributing to his own welfare. When immigration is allowed to flow unrestricted as it has for the past several years, our support systems are overwhelmed with people who are providing nothing to maintain the system. Legal citizens are then forced to provide support through their taxes. Many citizens resent that; it smacks of taxation without representation. Sounds like the patriot’s cry of 1776.

Third, we must deal firmly but fairly with the millions who have entered illegally. As much as I might like to say throw them all out, Christian charity demands a more nuanced approach. At the very least, sanctuary cities must be eliminated. For cities who want to defy federal law, all federal programs must be withdrawn. This is common sense and abides by the biblical standard of reward and punishment. The New Testament clearly promotes individual submission to authority; the same principle must apply to groups of individuals who identify as a city. Fair is fair.

Next, we must transport any illegal entrants we can identify back to the place they fled, unless it can be proven that dire harm will come to them by that action. There may be diplomatic or fiscal measures that can be taken to encourage the cooperation of those countries who may deny access to the information we need. The carrot or the stick method is usually effective in tough situations. It is difficult if not impossible to estimate how many illegals are actually in need of asylum, but I believe the few who qualify can be found, and the rest can be repatriated. As an alternative, adult illegals could be offered a path to citizenship by serving in a branch of our military for four years active and two years reserve. Honorable discharges could be given the opportunity to become citizens.

My next suggestion is unfair to those who are waiting to enter the country legally, but I think it reflects a Christian attitude. If a person or family has been in the US for a considerable time (5 years? 10 years?), they should be given the opportunity to apply for citizenship if they have no criminal record, and if they are gainfully employed and self-supporting. Before allowing them to apply for citizenship, an arrangement must be made to pay their back taxes and their Social Security and Medicare contributions since many will not have had a Social Security number – at least not a legal one. If those conditions are not met, they too must be repatriated.

I realize that sending people back to where they came from will be a difficult and costly process. I suspect it will cost less to fly a family home than to feed, clothe and house them for a year. More importantly, if allowed to stay, the family would burden our economy for many years. Ultimately, it is not about what it costs but what we gain. Some might say this sounds un-Christian or at best unfair. I do not believe it is either one. However, if adopted, it should eventually have the effect of stemming the flow of immigrants. If they realize that the door is closed and people are being sent back, fewer will try to break in.

Make this personal. If a stranger walked up to your house, broke open your door and demanded that you feed, clothe, and house him, what would you say? When you discovered that his extended family numbered in the hundreds, and he had given them directions to your house, what would you do? Does your Christian duty require you to accede to his demands and turn over your home and your bankbook to him? I think not. The Fourth Amendment promises security in our persons and dwellings. You don’t have to be a Christian to recognize that criminal trespass is not acceptable. The Fourth Amendment simply echoes what the Bible teaches: God’s people have a right to private property. Violation of that right was dealt with seriously in the Mosaic law and reinforced in the New Testament.

Finally, my last suggestion has to do with individuals, not the government. Any Christian who is serious about helping the less fortunate – in this country or elsewhere – has the responsibility to give of their resources either directly or vicariously through any one of many Christian organizations that are fulfilling the biblical command to help the poor. Buy a bunch of thrift-store blankets and make a bagful of sandwiches and go to the homeless in your town. Be Jesus to them. If that is not practical for you, write a check every month to a charity that is doing God’s work. If every Christian did this, the plight of the poor and destitute would be improved worldwide. That is my Christian response to the immigration problem. If you like it, you have my permission to send copies of this article to your US Congresspersons.

Related posts: Examining Christian Charity; Loving Biblically