A Christian Response to Illegal Immigration:
Balancing Compassionate Hospitality and National Sovereignty
The topic of illegal immigration occupies a contentious space in public discourse, often pulling Christians into polarized camps that either champion open borders in the name of compassion or demand strict border control in defense of national sovereignty. As with many complex issues, the truth lies in a nuanced balance that reflects biblical principles and practical realities. For Christians, the challenge is not to default to one ideological extreme but to adopt a both/and approach, embracing the biblical mandate to care for the stranger while affirming the legitimacy of secure national borders and lawful immigration policies.
Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and the responsibilities of a modern nation-state, I argue that border security and compassionate outreach are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they represent complementary components of a coherent Christian response that honors God’s commands, serves the vulnerable, and upholds the rule of law.
Biblical Principles: Compassion for the Stranger
From the earliest pages of Scripture, God reveals His concern for the vulnerable, including the foreigner. In Deuteronomy 10:18-19, God describes Himself as one who "executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing." The Israelites were called to reflect this divine compassion, remembering their own status as sojourners in Egypt. This theme continues in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches that care for the stranger is a marker of authentic faith: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35).
These commands leave no room for indifference to the plight of migrants. Many come to the United States fleeing poverty, violence, or political instability—conditions I observed firsthand as a child growing up in Peru. Living among communities with limited access to education, healthcare, and basic resources impressed upon me the urgency of helping the marginalized. Later, my work on the U.S.-Mexico border, constructing homes for impoverished families, and my leadership of Esperanza del Barrio in Chattanooga deepened my understanding of the challenges immigrants face and the importance of extending Christian love to them.
Yet, while Scripture calls us to care for the stranger, it does not mandate open borders or the abandonment of lawful governance. The tension lies in integrating compassion with order—a task to which we now turn.
The Necessity of Order: Secure Borders and the Rule of Law
The Bible affirms the legitimacy of government and its role in maintaining order. Romans 13:1-7 teaches that governing authorities are instituted by God to restrain evil and promote good. Secure borders are a practical necessity for any nation, enabling governments to protect their citizens, manage resources, and ensure that migration occurs in an orderly fashion. Far from being antithetical to Christian compassion, secure borders can serve to prevent human trafficking, exploitation, and the dangerous conditions that often accompany unregulated migration.
In my time working along the U.S.-Mexico border, I witnessed how unregulated migration often exacerbates suffering rather than alleviating it. Migrants frequently fall prey to smugglers, extortionists, and predatory employers. Similarly, during Chattanooga’s rapid influx of Mayan-descended Guatemalans in the late 1990s, I saw how a lack of legal documentation left many vulnerable to financial exploitation and social marginalization. For Christians, affirming the importance of border security is not a rejection of compassion but a recognition that disorder often harms the very people we seek to help.
At the same time, an overemphasis on security without regard for human dignity contradicts the biblical call to justice. Immigration policies must balance enforcement with accessibility, ensuring that migrants can enter legally without undue hardship and that those already living among us are treated with fairness and respect.
A Both/And Approach: Balancing Security and Compassion
A coherent Christian response to immigration must embrace a both/and approach, combining secure borders with compassionate outreach and advocacy for fair immigration policies. This approach rests on three pillars:
Compassionate Engagement: Churches have a critical role to play in meeting the immediate needs of immigrants, documented or undocumented. This includes providing food, shelter, legal aid, language classes, and job training. Just as importantly, churches offer a community where immigrants can experience the love of Christ and hear the Gospel. As I saw in my work with Esperanza del Barrio, practical assistance often opens doors for spiritual conversations and meaningful relationships.
Advocacy for Reform: Current immigration policies are often inefficient and inequitable. Christians should advocate for reforms that streamline legal immigration, expand access to work visas, and create pathways to citizenship for those who have established lives and contributed positively to society. Such reforms not only reflect biblical justice but also strengthen the social fabric by allowing immigrants to integrate fully into their communities.
Support for Border Security: Compassion does not negate the need for secure borders. Effective border security prevents exploitation and ensures that migration occurs in a controlled and lawful manner. It also allows nations to prioritize resources for those most in need, such as refugees fleeing persecution.
This balanced approach mirrors the biblical principle of justice tempered by mercy. It acknowledges the legitimacy of government authority while ensuring that this authority serves the common good.
Personal Reflections on Immigration and Ministry
My own experiences have shaped my understanding of how the principles of compassion and order can coexist in practice. Growing up in Peru, I encountered poverty and cultural richness in equal measure. Later, building homes on the U.S.-Mexico border introduced me to families whose resilience and hope inspired me to pursue broader community-based efforts. As the Executive Director of Esperanza del Barrio, I worked with a population for whom Spanish was often a second language and education was limited. Despite these challenges, I saw remarkable potential in these immigrants to contribute meaningfully to their new communities.
These experiences convinced me that immigration is not just a political issue but a deeply personal one. Every immigrant represents a story, a family, and a future. As Christians, our response must reflect this reality, treating each individual with dignity and compassion.
At the same time, I have seen the consequences of policy failures on both sides of the spectrum. Unregulated migration creates vulnerability and chaos, while overly restrictive policies breed fear and division. The need for a both/and approach has never been clearer.
The Role of the Church in Shaping the Conversation
In addition to direct outreach, the Church has a unique opportunity to influence the national conversation on immigration. This involves challenging both the fear-driven rhetoric that dehumanizes immigrants and the utopian idealism that ignores practical realities. By rooting our advocacy in biblical principles, we can offer a vision of immigration that respects the rule of law while reflecting the heart of Christ.
Furthermore, immigration presents a remarkable mission field. The influx of immigrants into American communities provides unprecedented opportunities to share the Gospel and build relationships across cultural boundaries. Rather than viewing immigration as a threat, we can embrace it as a chance to fulfill the Great Commission.
Conclusion: Justice and Mercy in Harmony
Illegal immigration is a complex issue, but the Christian response need not be divided into simplistic binaries. Secure borders and compassionate outreach are not mutually exclusive but essential components of a biblical approach to immigration. By advocating for a balanced system that upholds the rule of law while providing pathways to opportunity, Christians can reflect the justice and mercy of God in the public square.
As someone who has lived and worked among immigrant communities, I believe this both/and approach offers the most faithful response to the challenges and opportunities of immigration. It allows us to honor the sovereignty of nations while extending the love of Christ to the stranger in our midst. Christians need to insist our legislatures mind us on policies of border security as well as compassionate hospitality in our legal immigration system. May we, as the Church, lead with wisdom, humility, and courage, seeking a future where justice and mercy walk hand in hand.