Immigration

Immigration debates bring out a lot of hypocrisy.

Those whose forebears came to America when entry was unrestricted often seem to be the most strident in wanting immigration restrictions now. “I am in, so shut the door and keep the rest out”.

On the other hand, I doubt that many of the Christians who are shocked by Donald Trump’s rude comments would invite a hundred Haitians or Nigerians to come and live in their neighbourhood.

I notice that the people who are most enthusiastic about immigration reside in neighbourhoods where refugees cannot afford to live. Very convenient.

Let’s stop pretending that all people are equal. Immigration laws ensure that all people are not equal.

If modern migration laws were in place, Jesus parents would not have been able to take him to safety in Egypt, unless he had got lucky in the green card lottery. Ruth would not have been able to marry Boaz, unless she had “essential skills”.

Mass migrations of people have occurred throughout history.

God’s Instructions for Economic Life put no limits on migration. That only requirement was that justice should be the same for the migrants as for local people.

The same law applies both to the native-born and to the foreigner residing among you (Ex 12:49).

You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the Lord your God (Lev 24:22).

Migrants must be treated well.

Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt (Ex 22:21).

Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice (Deut 24:17).

When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God (Lev 19:33-34).

There are no restrictions on this command. You cannot love people by shutting them out. God did not say to only love those with essential skills.