Faith
Spanish Evangelicals Address EU Migration Shift
Faith Facts
- The EU will create official lists of “safe countries of origin” and “safe third countries,” making it much harder for some migrants to claim asylum in Europe.
- Spain supports the new Migration and Asylum Pact but urges swifter action due to migration pressures, especially in the Canary Islands.
- The Spanish Evangelical Alliance highlights the biblical command in Exodus 12:49 for equal treatment of natives and foreigners under the law, urging dignity and integration for immigrants.
The European Union has provisionally agreed to stricter asylum rules, introducing new lists deemed ‘safe’ for migrants, making defense of asylum applications far more difficult. Spain backs the EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact, pushing for faster implementation due to challenges in hotspots like the Canary Islands.
Southern European countries face unique pressures from irregular migration and call for greater burden-sharing among all EU members. However, deep political divisions within Spain make nationwide consensus on immigration extremely challenging, affecting proposals made to the EU.
“The same law applies both to the native-born and to the foreigner residing among you.”
Emphasizing biblical principles, evangelicals stress the need for policies rooted in fairness and the realistic ability to welcome and integrate immigrants. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and related regulations mandate equal rights for long-term third-country residents.
Scripture also urges those welcomed into the land to respect the host nation’s values and laws, underlining the need for newcomers to genuinely embrace the society’s democratic and moral standards. Lack of integration fuels divisiveness and feeds rising populist movements across Europe, undermining a Christian vision of brotherhood and justice.
Evangelical leaders note both the necessity of immigration—due to population decline—and the importance of supporting development and human rights in home countries to prevent perilous journeys. They advocate for clear, fair, and safe immigration policies that also respect state sovereignty and the Christian principle of charity to the stranger.
Engaging as faithful citizens, Christians are called to promote just, humane, and orderly systems that balance compassion with prudent stewardship of national resources and cultural identity. Standing together in faith helps ensure both protection and dignity for all.