We live in a polarized age, and perhaps no issue has highlighted that division more than immigration. You might think that this cultural divide would make us unlikely allies, one a Gen Z progressive who advocates equity and systemic compassion, the other a conservative Boomer who emphasizes personal responsibility and moral order. Yet, as believers in Christ, we are unified in our hope for biblically based immigration reform.
The U.S. immigration system has not undergone comprehensive reform since 1990. While Congress and successive administrations have attempted targeted changes to immigration policy through legislation and executive action, the system, however tweaked, has not kept up with current economic realities and workforce needs, each of which require a robust immigration system.
Recent studies have shown that refugees and asylees have contributed $124 billion positive impact over a 15-year period, and they harness a $1.6 trillion spending power, 14% of the total American spending power. Loss of this segment of our economy could be devastating.
But beyond the economic argument, there are significant ethical implications in immigration policy; these are what trouble us most as Christians. The Bible repeatedly mandates a compassionate welcome to foreigners and strangers. The Hebrew Bible declares that God defends the foreigner (Deuteronomy 10:18-19) and commands us to love them as ones of our own (Ezekiel 47:22). In his parable of the last judgment, Jesus warns that we will be held accountable for the hospitality we have (or have not) shown to the stranger in our midst (Matthew 25:34-36).
Christians may disagree on a lot of things, but showing compassion should not be one.
But recent policy shifts have ignored compassion and eroded order in our cities, adding new barriers to legal immigration pathways and delays in approval for families seeking safety. Consequently, the system has failed to operate in a way that best shows compassion and fairness to immigrant populations who seek refuge in the U.S., while acknowledging the need for secure borders.
But while everyone seems to agree that the immigration system is broken and ineffective, extreme polarization in our society has made finding a middle ground on many issues nearly impossible. In recent years, Congress has tried to pass the immigration reform we need, but only a small minority of Democrats and Republicans have come together to pull this off, despite their differences. They just don’t have the votes.
Unfortunately, issues are more complicated than the extreme “come one, come all” enthusiasts or the “come the right way” and “wait in line” critics would have us believe. The discrepancies between ideological predispositions have created what has been coined the “Great Divide.” Progressives oppose family separation and demand ways to increase methods of immigration to the U.S., while conservatives call for a secure southern border and increased law enforcement to discourage illegal activity.
The divide is stark and sometimes hostile, often perpetuated by hyper-partisanship and the media.
Unfortunately, polarization has made its way into the Church. While the teachings of Jesus demand radical hospitality rather than a lukewarm welcome to a select few, this need not equate to a free-for-all immigration policy with no guidance or caution.
Is there a way forward?
