Faith
Biblical Principles Guide Immigration Discussions
Faith Facts
- Migration is a global phenomenon, with 304 million people migrating worldwide in 2024.
- The Bible teaches the equal dignity of all people, commanding love and justice toward foreigners.
- Christian thought supports national borders and lawful immigration policies grounded in biblical morality.
Across the globe, countries debate how to approach immigration, reflecting both challenges and opportunities for families and nations. As Christians, it’s vital to approach these discussions rooted deeply in God’s Word and a heart for justice.
Scripture affirms that every human being is made in God’s image, deserving respect and care, regardless of origin.
“Do not ‘oppress,’ ‘detest,’ or ‘pervert’ the justice due to the foreigner or sojourner are words repeated throughout the Bible, demonstrating unequivocally that God loves people on the move and wants them to be protected and treated with dignity and respect.”
“The Bible also makes it clear that those who do oppress, detest, or pervert justice due to the foreigner or sojourner are to be cursed…”
“The Bible goes further by stating that the foreigner should be treated the same as citizens of the land, and that foreigners in need should be taken care of, whether they need a place of refuge or food and other provisions to survive.”
Avoiding double standards in our immigration discussions fosters humility and compassion, as Christians remember their own heritage and the importance of integrity in public witness.
“What strikes me most uncomfortably when the issue of migrants and refugees is hotly debated in some western countries is the blatant hypocrisy of the rhetoric.”
“Almost all western nations have experienced centuries of immigration…”
“There is also hypocrisy in the language used…”
“And there is the hypocrisy embedded in the lack of any historical perspective.”
Upholding national borders and fair immigration laws remains a biblical principle, supporting order while showing love to the sojourner in our land.
Let us pray for wise and compassionate solutions, guided by faith, that honor both justice and mercy in every nation’s immigration policies.