This is a tough one for me. As a follower of Christ, I find myself torn between two competing thoughts. On one hand, I ask, How would Jesus respond to the current issue of illegal immigration? On the other, I wrestle with the reality that a nation must have laws and order, and I wonder, How do we enforce immigration laws with love and mercy?
I don’t have all the answers, but I do believe this is a conversation worth having, especially as Christians who are called to live in the tension between grace and truth.
How Would Jesus Respond?
When I think about Jesus, I see a Savior who always had compassion for the vulnerable. He welcomed the outcast, fed the hungry, and healed the sick. His heart broke for those who were lost and suffering. That makes me think: if Jesus were walking among us today, how would He respond to those fleeing poverty, violence, and desperation?
I’m reminded of the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. A man is beaten and left for dead, and the religious leaders pass him by. But the Samaritan – someone who was culturally despised – stopped, cared for him, and met his needs. Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.” That challenges me. Should my first response to immigrants, even those here illegally, be to see them as lawbreakers or as people made in God’s image?
At the same time, Jesus never ignored the law. He told people to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21) and said He came to fulfill the law, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17). That brings me to my second question.
Enforcing Laws With Love and Mercy
The Bible speaks to the importance of law and order. Romans 13:1-7 makes it clear that governing authorities are put in place by God and that we are to submit to them. Laws exist for a reason – to protect and bring order to society. But how those laws are enforced matters greatly.
God’s justice is always intertwined with His mercy. While a nation has the right to enforce its borders, the way we treat people in the process is a reflection of our character as believers. Are families being separated unnecessarily? Are we treating immigrants with dignity and respect? Are we supporting policies that balance justice with compassion? These are hard questions that don’t have easy answers.
I believe Christians should advocate for laws that are fair, humane, and just. That may mean supporting pathways to legal status for those who have been here for years already and have contributed to society. It may also mean working to fix a broken immigration system that makes it nearly impossible for some to enter legally in the first place.
So What’s the Christian Response?
I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all answer. But here’s what I keep coming back to:
- Lead with compassion. Before forming opinions or debating policies, we should see people as God sees them. Many immigrants- legal and illegal – are fleeing unimaginable hardship. Compassion should be our first response.
- Respect the law. A nation has the right to protect its borders, and as Christians we should support policies that are fair and just.
- Seek justice with mercy. We should advocate for laws that reflect both accountability and grace – laws that uphold security while treating people with dignity.
- Pray and stay engaged. This isn’t just a political issue; it’s a spiritual one. We should pray for wisdom for our leaders, for those seeking refuge, and for ways to personally help where we can.
At the end of the day, my goal isn’t to land on a perfect political position, but rather to reflect Christ in how I think, speak, and act. I may not have all the answers, but I do know this: Jesus cares about the immigrant, and He cares about truth and justice. Our challenge as believers is to hold both in balance.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you wrestle with this issue as a Christian? Feel free to comment below.
Former Blackout Artist 