Week Two Debate: Immigration

Week Two Debate Subject: Immigration is a huge issue today. Does the Bible say anything that could help us decide what is the right thing to do on this topic? How does our current situation relate to the history of American immigration? As people of faith, we look for a just solution.

I have had numerous discussions with people regarding the current plight of the illegal immigrants living among us. The position taken by many begins and ends with the fact that most of the immigrants in question entered the country illegally. They simply argue that these people should be treated as law breakers. That is where their reasoning generally ends. Those of this opinion are overlooking the fact that our current immigration policy is broken and is being considered for reform. Therefore, this complex issue affecting the welfare of millions of lives merits more thoughtful discussion as solutions are sought.

Rhetoric with a harsh edge and laws with stiff stipulations is the common threads woven into all the recent legislative proposals on immigration reform. Various options of strident border enforcement combined with punishment of illegal immigrants and those who employ them seem to reflect the growing consensus of our legislators. The inadequacy of all the recent proposals has resulted in legislative impasse. It seems there is not enough collective wisdom in Washington to resolve this matter. Could ancient texts from the Bible offer some wisdom and insight into this complex and thorny issue?

Moses presented the Law to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the land of promise. Contained within these vast volumes of commands were some very specific rulings regarding the treatment of strangers (aliens) who would arrive and live in their midst. How these verses might translate into contemporary legislation is unclear, but they do clearly reveal God’s heart for this minority to be treated with loving mercy.

Compassion for the illegal immigrant has been the primary ingredient missing in the tone and content of recent debate and failed legislative attempts. Many of the following verses are also pointedly relevant to the current situation of the tragic plight of the Palestinians in Israel.

Exodus 22:21 (New International Version)
21 "Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt”

The Israelites left Egypt under the leadership of Moses and were reminded of their previous status of being unwanted aliens. Egyptians had become cruel and unaccommodating because of the growing number of Jews. Sound familiar?

Leviticus 19:33-34 (New International Version)
33 “When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. 34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”

This verse demonstrates clear connectivity of this issue to the great Biblical command to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Jesus was once asked who our neighbor might be. He answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan and revealed neighbor to mean much more than merely the people who have adjoining property. Neighbor, in the biblical context, most assuredly includes all who live among us and makes no distinction about their method of arrival.

Deuteronomy 24:14-15 (New International Version)
14 Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns. 15 Pay him his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and is counting on it. Otherwise he may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.

This law clearly states a fair labor policy regarding the immigrant worker. Here we find a pointed admonition to not take advantage of the poor and needy worker. This scripture condemns the cunning and heartless employer who takes unfair advantage of people because of their legal status.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 (New International Version)
28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

God commanded a system of tithing to make provision for the priesthood, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows. The promise of God’s blessing accompanies this mandate. I wonder how much of church budgets, which are often funded by tithes, is earmarked for care of the aliens living among us.

Jesus declares a powerful prophecy contained in Matthew 25: 31-46 concerning the judgment of the nations.

Matthew 25:35 "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

Jesus then declares that these hurting, oppressed and neglected people were human reflections of Himself. The kind people who offer gracious benevolence are eternally rewarded for their generosity to "the least of these." Jesus then condemns those who took the opposite tact of harsh indifference toward those in need and once again identified Himself with the oppressed. We must not overlook His mention of the stranger in this text. Our national conscience should be pricked by the prospect of Jesus addressing our current immigration policy.

Will He say, “I was a stranger and you built a wall to prevent my visitation. I was a stranger and you denied me food, shelter and clothing. I was a stranger and you oppressed and mistreated me. I was a stranger and you deported me. I was a stranger and you charged me with a crime…”

Would any Christian deny Jesus compassionate assistance if He stood in need of mercy and aid?

Proverbs 31:8-9 (New International Version)
8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

The illegal immigrants among us certainly are included in this text because they cannot speak for themselves and they are generally poor and needy. Who speaks for those immigrants forced to live in hiding among us?

I wonder what Native Americans think about the current debate. Maybe our legislators in the quest for wisdom should consult them. Modern Americans should never lose sight of our own history of immigration and whose land this rightfully and originally belonged to. The harshest immigration policymakers on this matter seem to be narrowly locked into more modern historical models. They tend to exclude from their thinking the ways and means of immigration to this land from its inception and the gracious hosts who greeted the Pilgrims and shared America with them. Think Thanksgiving.

I frequently make long drives across the nation and I notice there are vast expanses of undeveloped and unoccupied land in between cities. Though many of us live in crowded cities, it appears the nation at large could still absorb many more people who desperately seek survival and a place to call home.

The poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty should be considered as we seek to move forward with immigration reform. This poetic verse conveys a proactive compassion toward foreigners longing for the opportunities afforded by living in a country once known for its benevolent reception of the oppressed.

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

We should either remove this inscription emblazoned on Lady Liberty or we should insist on legislation that does not make a mockery of its message. At the very least, Christians should advocate for monumental immigration reform reflective of Biblical values and the merciful compassion of God plainly evidenced there.