Texas Capital Uses Taxpayer Dollars to Screen Film Equating Jesus with Illegal Immigration

Faith Facts

• Austin city officials are using public funds to screen a controversial documentary titled ‘Jesus Was a Migrant’ that conflates biblical narratives with illegal immigration policy
• The event will feature panelists from CAIR, an Islamic organization that Texas has designated as a terrorist group
• The screening represents another example of how left-leaning city governments misuse taxpayer resources to push progressive religious and political agendas contrary to state values

Austin city officials have announced plans to use public funding to screen a controversial documentary that inappropriately links Jesus Christ with modern illegal immigration debates. The film, titled “Jesus Was a Migrant,” is scheduled to be shown later this month at taxpayer expense.

The screening will feature a panel discussion including speakers from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an organization that the state of Texas has officially designated as a terrorist group. The decision to provide a platform for CAIR representatives using public funds has raised serious concerns among Christian conservatives and state officials.

This event represents the latest example of how progressive city governments in Texas continue to operate at odds with the values of the state’s conservative majority. Austin, known for its left-leaning politics, has long been at odds with state leadership on issues ranging from public safety to immigration enforcement.

The documentary’s premise conflates the biblical account of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt with contemporary debates over border security and immigration law. Christian scholars have consistently noted that Jesus’ family fled lawfully as refugees from persecution, not as illegal border crossers defying national sovereignty—a crucial distinction the film apparently glosses over.

Texas has taken a firm stance against CAIR, recognizing the organization’s documented ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. The state’s designation of CAIR as a terrorist organization makes the city’s decision to feature CAIR speakers at a publicly funded event all the more troubling.

Many Christian conservatives view this screening as an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars to advance a political agenda that misrepresents Christian teachings while providing a platform for an organization with known extremist connections. The event also raises questions about the separation of church and state, given that city officials are promoting specific religious interpretations using public resources.

The timing of this event comes as Texas continues to grapple with border security challenges and as Austin’s progressive policies remain a frequent source of tension with state leadership. Governor Greg Abbott and the Republican-controlled legislature have repeatedly had to intervene to protect Texas values from Austin’s left-wing city council.

Traditional Christian teaching emphasizes the importance of both compassion and the rule of law. While believers are called to care for strangers and the vulnerable, Scripture also affirms the legitimate authority of governments to establish and enforce borders, as outlined in Romans 13.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.