What Does the Bible Say about Illegal Immigration?
- Joel Ryan Contributing Writer
- Updated Nov 07, 2024
During this divisive political time, most Americans are rightly concerned about the future of their country. Many issues are weighing on their hearts and minds; high among them is the topic of immigration, and, more specifically, illegal immigration.
Given the unprecedented number of migrants who have unlawfully crossed America’s southern border in the last several years, the effectiveness of America’s current immigration policy and strength of its borders have become a topic of serious conversation.
To form a proper perspective on the issue, however, we must look beyond the promises of any political party or political candidate and look intently at what the Bible has to say about nations, borders, and illegal immigration.
God Has a Heart for Immigrants, Refugees, and Strangers
Like most cultural issues today, our nation is deeply divided on the topic of immigration.
On one extreme are those with a more globalist agenda who advocate for open borders, massive government welfare programs, and non-citizens being given voting rights. At the other end is a more closed-door, isolationist worldview that can sometimes devolve into actual prejudice towards foreigners and migrants.
To be clear, the Bible condemns both worldviews. Most Christians, however, do not hold either. Rather, many are compassionate to their neighbors and genuinely kind and hospitable to strangers and immigrants. At the same time, they believe their country should have a secure border and a safe, just, and fair system for determining who is allowed to enter the country and how many migrants we can effectively integrate into our society every year. That does not make them racists, bigots, or any other horrible name society likes to throw at them.
Nevertheless, it is important to remember that the Bible is a story of immigrants.
For example:
- Abraham was called to leave his home and travel with his family to a land God would show him (Genesis 11:30-12:20).
- Joseph, after rising to prominence in the land of Egypt, petitioned the Pharoah to allow his father and brothers to seek refuge in Egypt as resident aliens (Genesis 37-50).
- Moses fled to Midian and seek asylum as a political refugee after he killed the Egyptian (Exodus 2:15-22).
- After being delivered from Egypt, the Israelites would be given the land of Canaan as an inheritance and given strict instructions for how they were to treat foreigners, strangers, and immigrants in their midst.
- Ruth immigrated and assimilated into Israel, adopting the values, culture, and religion of her mother-in-law Naomi after her husband died.
- David fled to Moab and even sought asylum with the Philistines while he was on the run from King Saul (1 Samuel 22:3-4; 27).
- As a newborn, Jesus immigrated with his earthly mother and father to a foreign land to escape the edicts of a wicked king (Matthew 2:13-23).
The Bible makes clear that God has a heart for the immigrant, the refugee, the resident alien, and the stranger.
In the Old Testament, God also called on His people to care for the most vulnerable living among them: “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19; see also Deuteronomy 23:7; Jeremiah 7:6; Ezekiel 22:29; 23:9; Zechariah 7:8-10).
In the New Testament, the author of Hebrews also urges Christians not to “neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).
Nevertheless, while the Bible may encourage Christians to love their neighbor and show kindness and compassion to the needy and vulnerable (Amos 4:1), it also draws a distinction between legal and illegal immigration. One it supports; the other it does not.
The Bible Distinguishes between Citizens, Resident Aliens, and Foreigners
As Christians, we believe that all humans, whether American citizen or immigrant, are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Someone’s immigration status does not define their inherent moral worth, and nowhere in the Bible does God support prejudice towards or mistreatment of migrants, whether they are here legally or illegally.
Nevertheless, the Bible distinguishes between the rights of citizens, resident aliens, and foreigners on more than one occasion.
For example, in Hebrew, the term “ezrach” is used to refer to native born Israelites who could claim all the rights and privileges of Hebrew citizenship (Deuteronomy 23:7-8). Hebrew citizens were part of the community, they shared its values, adhered to its laws, and were committed to the worship of Yahweh as God.
In contrast, the Hebrew term “gār” was used to refer to the resident alien, stranger, sojourner, temporary inhabitant, or newcomer. Though distinct from Hebrew citizens, the resident alien or migrant worker could enjoy some of the same privileges as citizens. They were expected to work, respect Israel’s laws and values, and even participate in worship (see 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12; Leviticus 16:29; 17:8; 19:10, 29).
According to Scripture, exploitation or bribery of immigrants, strangers, and resident aliens was forbidden (Exodus 23:3; Proverbs 17:23; Proverbs 29:4). They were not, however, citizens.
The Bible makes clear, therefore, that God is not against immigration. He even went so far as to outline an immigration policy that graciously allowed for strangers to visit, work, and assimilate into society. However, the rights of citizenship were not guaranteed to anyone who crossed Israel’s borders. Full citizenship had to be earned or was granted to the third generation of immigrants born in Israel (see Deuteronomy 23:7-8).
The purpose of these laws was for God’s people to become evangelists for Yahweh, welcoming, integrating, and assimilating others into their culture instead of compromising their values and religion to become more like other nations (see Numbers 33:55; Deuteronomy 12:30-31; Judges 1:27-36; 2:11-13; 3:5-7; Jeremiah 10:2-5; 1 Kings 11:8; Ezra 10:2).
Integration was the price for citizenship, a position many Western nations have abandoned in recent years (Ruth 1:16).
Of course, a third category also exists in the Bible. That is the foreigner, or “nāḵrî,” in Hebrew.
God explains why the foreigner was not afforded the same rights and privileges of a natural citizen or, at times, resident alien (see Exodus 12:42; Deuteronomy 15:3; Deuteronomy 17:15). In many ways, it was because the foreigner refused to live by the culture and beliefs of the nation they had entered. Refusing citizenship to a foreigner or resident alien living amongst God’s people was not considered cruel or oppressive. Rather, it revealed something about God’s desire for Israel to maintain its culture and national sovereignty.
God supports legal immigration, but He also respects the right of nations to protect their borders.
The Bible Promotes Legal Immigration and Secure Borders
The heart of the immigration debate ultimately comes down to an important question: does a nation have the right to protect and defend its borders?
Naturally, borders are lines drawn to separate one nation from another. Over time, those lines can change. However, beyond physical boundaries, borders delineate between a nation’s laws and values compared to its neighbors. Once an individual crosses a border, they are subject to the governing laws of that nation.
When it comes to border laws, the Bible makes clear that Christians are to be subject to governing authorities, human institutions, and the laws of the land (Romans 13:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-14; Titus 3:1-2), provided those laws do not violate biblical mandates or ask the believer to act against his or her conscience (Daniel 3:1-7; Acts 5:29).
It is incumbent upon every Christian to respect and honor the immigration policies and laws of individual nations (see Numbers 20:17). Those who unlawfully cross into another country without its permission have violated the law; and God is not a God of lawlessness or chaos (see 2 Thessalonians 2:8; 1 John 3:4).
Rather, the Bible explains that God is the one who rules over the nations (Psalms 22:28), determines the “appointed times and boundaries of their habitation” (Acts 17:27), and “sets the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel” (Deuteronomy 32:8).
Some may be quick to point to Mary and Joseph’s flight to Egypt following Jesus’ birth as an example of the Bible defending illegal immigration. Despite the claims of a prominent evangelical leader, there is nothing in Scripture that indicates that Mary and Joseph crossed into Egypt unlawfully. The Bible does not support the conclusion that they broke Egypt’s immigration laws or sojourned in Egypt without permission. Furthermore, Mary and Joseph eventually returned to their country of origin once it was safe to do so. In essence, they behaved more like asylum seekers or refugees fleeing persecution than migrants crossing a border without permission.
In this regard, the Bible offers perspective on the responsibility of nations to try and provide aid to political refugees and genuine asylum seekers whenever possible. Of course, these cases take time to adjudicate. No country has a perfect system for vetting and processing those wishing to enter the country. Therefore, the prayer of Christians should be for nations like the United States to develop an immigration policy that is compassionate, fair, and just for those seeking refuge from genuine persecution, oppression, or political turmoil.
However, it is also the responsibility of nations like the United States to care for the most vulnerable within its borders (1 Timothy 5:8). Abandoning its own citizens or depriving them of needed resources to help outsiders is not compassionate. It is neglect.
Nowhere in Scripture, therefore, does God encourage Israel or any nation to adopt an open border policy. Even heaven has a strict immigration policy, which Jesus affirmed when He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6; see also Matthew 7:13-14).
From dangerous drugs flowing across the borders to sex and human trafficking organizations preying upon helpless migrants desperate to enter the United States, open borders are a breeding ground for dangerous criminal activity and lawlessness.
And while we can accept that many migrants are honest, hard-working individuals looking to create a better life for their families, we must also acknowledge that many violent criminals, military-aged males, and bad actors with bad intentions are also crossing borderless nations to cause trouble and bring harm to its people.
A strong immigration policy, therefore, relies on a secure border and proper vetting of all looking to enter the country.
God Wants His People to Care About Politics and Immigration
In today’s world, some believe that the church should stay out of politics entirely and focus solely on “gospel issues.” While the church must remain committed to the faithful teaching of the gospel and advancement of the kingdom of God, the Bible makes clear that Christians are also called to care about the things that God loves and speak out against the things He hates (Proverbs 6:16-19). As the conscience of the nation (Ezekiel 33:1-7) and salt and light of society (Matthew 5:13-16), the church must have a voice in politics. Christians cannot afford to remain silent on these issues or sit on the sidelines simply because they do not like either of the candidates running for office.
God cares about immigration because the policies our leaders implement will inevitably help or hurt those He loves. That includes both the immigrant and the citizen.
The Bible teaches that “righteousness exalts a nation” (Proverbs 14:34). Where policies (above personalities) are righteous, a nation will flourish. Therefore, it is incumbent on every Christian to pray for their nation and its leaders, to contend for their faith and stand for what is good, right, and true, and to vote according to their conscience for the policies that align with the Word of God and best care for those God loves.
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Further Reading
Immigration and the Gospel
How Should Christians Respond to Illegal Immigration?
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