Pastor Aaron Brown

The recent outcome of the U.S. Presidential Election has once again thrust immigration reform and enforcement into the headlines, and for some of us, back into the center of our awareness. I confess that while I mentally understand the social and theological importance of caring for the immigrant and foreigner, I also live with the privilege of being able to forget about these issues and how they affect the people I love. So, here’s a quick reminder for us all: Those of us who call ourselves Christians are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves, to welcome the stranger and foreigner, and to seek justice and mercy in all things (Mark 12:31, Deuteronomy 10:17, Micah 6:8). Yet when it comes to immigration reform and enforcement in the United States, we often ignore the realities our immigrating neighbors are grappling with, or maybe we find ourselves caught in a political crossfire. The issues are complex, emotionally charged, and filled with both personal stories and deeply entrenched ideological divides. These divides are widened as presidential candidates use this hot topic to inspire fear and galvanize support for the end goal of winning votes. However, we who follow the ways of Jesus must never forget that there are real people on the other side of all these policies and politics. 

Recently, my heart sank when I heard about the federal ruling that blocked the Parole in Place program intended to ease a path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens, leaving thousands of immigrants in legal limbo. This was a stark reminder for me that, at the heart of these debates, there are real people—mothers, fathers, children—whose lives are being shaped by policies that affect them in profound ways. I have a dear friend who was brought to the U.S. as a child by her mother who was fleeing violence. Because of this specific ruling, she now has no other options but to voluntarily leave the country or wait to be detained and deported. A hardline approach to law enforcement will rip her from the only life she, and her two daughters, have even known and send them back to a world of poverty, crime, and pervasive human trafficking. They are more than an issue… they are your neighbors, they are my friends, they are our spiritual family.

For many Christians, the question is not whether we should care for immigrants, but how we can navigate this complicated issue in a way that is both faithful to Scripture (mercy) and sensitive to the current realities of law, security, and national sovereignty (justice). Is it even possible to uphold the rule of law and secure our borders while also extending compassion to those who come here seeking refuge or a better life? I believe the answer is yes. But it requires a careful, biblically grounded approach that sees the humanity of the immigrating person, honors the rule of law, calls for comprehensive and fair reform, and also engages in personal and localized action.

The Tension Between U.S. Law and Biblical Compassion

The topic of immigration stirs up strong emotions, especially when viewed through a political lens. On one side, there are those who emphasize the need for secure borders and strict adherence to the law, arguing that unchecked immigration is a threat to national security and economic stability. On the other side, there are voices calling for compassion, recognizing that many immigrants—both documented and undocumented—are fleeing violence, poverty, or persecution in search of a better life for themselves and their families.

As Christians, it’s important to acknowledge that both sides contain valid concerns. The Bible calls us to respect the rule of law (Romans 13:1-5) while also showing mercy to the oppressed (Deuteronomy 10:17-19). But it is possible, even necessary, to manage this tension in a way that is faithful to God’s Word. In fact, the only truly Biblical response to these complex issues is one that seeks to hold justice and mercy in tension by upholding both the dignity of the law and the humanity of the person immigrating.

A Biblical Framework for Immigration Response

As we consider how to both think about and also engage with immigration reform, we must first ground our response in Scripture. In Genesis 1:26-27, we are reminded that every human being is made in the image of God, which means that those immigrating—regardless of their legal status—possess inherent dignity and worth. When we encounter someone who is undocumented, we are encountering a person who is beloved by God, a person whose story matters deeply to Him.

In Leviticus 19:33-34, God commands His people to love the foreigner, for they too were once foreigners in Egypt. Moses writes, “ When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”  This is a profound call for Christians to act with compassion and generosity toward immigrants, recognizing that we all share a common history and that God cares deeply about the plight of the foreigner.

At the same time, Romans 13:1-5 reminds us of our responsibility to respect the rule of law. Paul writes, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” It’s clear from Scripture that God has ordained human governments and institutions, and that they play a critical role in maintaining order and justice. In our specific time and place, this means securing our borders and wisely handling each case of undocumented immigration in a way that protects all persons involved to the best of their ability.

However, we cannot take a hardline approach to immigration reform without recognizing the full counsel of Scripture. In her powerful blog reflection A Biblical Perspective on Immigration, Hunter Davis, writes: “If we only take a hardline approach—invoking Romans 13 without Deuteronomy 10—not only are we being disobedient to God’s commands but we weaken the witness of the church by failing to show the compassion of God.” This is a crucial point. We cannot allow political ideologies to overshadow the call of Scripture to love and care for all people, especially those who are most vulnerable and live in our direct spheres of influence. If we do, then we are showing that our first citizenship in not in the Kingdom of Heaven, but rather in the kingdoms of this world. A citizen of God’s Kingdom cannot compromise either mercy or justice, but must at all time hold both in beautiful and horrible tension. But how??

Six Practical Ways to Take Action and Show Compassion

As Christians, we are not simply passive observers in the political arena. Our faith calls us to active engagement, especially on issues of justice and mercy. So what can we do in response to the broken immigration system and the difficult realities faced by immigrating peoples in our country and in our own communities? Here are six action steps….

1. Affirm the Humanity of the Immigrant: Regardless of your political stance, the first thing we can do is to recognize the inherent dignity of every person we encounter—whether they are in the U.S. legally or not. In Matthew 25, Jesus teaches that when we care for the vulnerable we care for Him, and when we welcome the stranger we are welcoming Him. Therefore, our first and most important job is to affirm the humanity of immigrants and treat them with the respect and compassion they deserve. Sometimes it’s a simple as telling them that you love them, praying over them in person, and providing them with a meal or a thoughtful card.

2. Support Legal Pathways to Citizenship: Many immigrants are here because they have no other option for pursuing their own safety and that of their children. Christians can support policies that provide pathways to legal status for those who qualify and are committed to becoming part of the fabric of our nation. The Evangelical Immigration Table offers a set of principles for immigration reform that respects the dignity of every person while ensuring national security and fairness to current citizens. Instead of echoing divisive rhetoric that demonizes immigrating people, champion radical welcome and pathways to citizenship.

3. Get Involved in Advocacy: The political gridlock in Washington has led to a moral, economic, and political crisis in our country, with no clear solutions in sight. As Christians, we must advocate for policies that respect both the rule of law and the dignity of the immigrant. This can include contacting our representatives, participating in public dialogues, and supporting organizations that work on behalf of those who are immigrating. Here in West Michigan, Lighthouse Immigration Advocates provide legal services for those pursuing citizenship as well as education for those interested in advocacy. We can learn, advocate, and contact our representatives. What we cannot do is stop speaking up.  As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds us, “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.”

4. Support Families in Crisis: Many immigrating families, both documented and undocumented, live in fear and uncertainty. They often lack access to healthcare, legal services, and basic rights that most Americans take for granted. Christian communities can make a difference by supporting nonprofits that help immigrants navigate the legal system, offering financial assistance directly to families who are being displaced by policies and law enforcement, or simply providing emotional and practical support to families in crisis. Do you have a vacation home? Let a family use it for the weekend so that they can sleep soundly without the fear of having their loved ones detained in the middle of the night. This kind of practical action affirms their humanity and shows the love of Christ.

5. Create a Culture of Welcome: As Christians, we are called to radical hospitality. This might mean helping an immigrant family find housing, offering financial support to individuals seeking legal counsel, or simply showing up with a meal or a kind word. When we treat immigrants as family, we embody the love of Christ. We may not have control over national politics or state level policies, but every one of us can make our home and our houses of worship a safe place for those in crisis. Have someone over for dinner, invite them to worship with you, and stand with them personally no matter the social or political climate.

6. Pray for Immigration Reform: Ultimately, this is a matter of justice, mercy, and human dignity. We should pray earnestly for wise leaders who will put aside political division and work toward comprehensive immigration reform that wisely handles each case with care and conviction. Pray for immigrants and their families, that they would find safety, security, and opportunities to thrive. And pray for our churches, that we would be a light to the world in how we love and care for those who are most vulnerable.

Conclusion: A Call to Faithful Action

As Christians, we are not called to take a partisan stance on immigration reform, but rather to take a biblical stance—a stance that respects the rule of law, honors the dignity of every person, and shows compassion to those who are most vulnerable. The issue of immigration is complicated, but our response should be simple: to love our neighbors, to affirm their humanity, and to advocate for policies that reflect the justice and mercy of God.

Let us remember that our ultimate allegiance is not to any political party or ideology but to the Kingdom of God, which calls us to love, to serve, and to care for all people, regardless of their legal status. As we navigate these issues, may we do so with a heart posture that values the person more than the problem, and that is open to the radical hospitality of Christ. Let politicians create policy, let law enforcement enforce laws, but our job, dear Christian, is to extend welcome radically and to affirm the other’s humanity unconditionally.