Many have been watching the immigration protests throughout the Southwest with keen interest. The protests center on proposed legislation that would tighten border security and make it a felony to aid illegal immigrants. However, for many students, at least here in Texas, it was simply an excuse to ditch school. Many of the interviewed protesting studentds didn’t know what the real issues were. Those that did know and understand the issues repeatedly pointed to how hard they and their families have worked and all that they have have done to better the U.S. economy.
Listening as these individuals are interviewed (many are illegal immigrants themselves), I am reminded of a sermon illustration drawn from Matthew 7:13-14 and Jesus’ imagery of the wide and easy path to destruction and the narrow path to life. Someone on the path to destruction might stop and pick up the trash along the way, helping little old ladies across the street and covering puddles for maidens, but he is still on the wrong path, no matter what he does along the way. Illegal immigration is just that, it is illegal, no matter what the “undocumented immigrants” might do along the way.
Throughout the protests, many have brandished Mexico’s flag as a rallying point. AZ Central quotes one man wondering aloud about this practice: “Call it racism, call it whatever you want, but the fact is that the waving of Mexico’s flag showed the rest of us, even this die-hard liberal, that a large portion of the illegal immigrant community are not Americans,” said Cattelino, 25. ‘If peole want to be Americans, then they need to support Americans, and that means waving the American flag.” Cattelino concludes: “If the marchers’ goal was allowing undocumented immigrants to become Americans, why wave Mexican flags?”
While I don’t want to be harsh and immediately assume our government is right, I also want to be cautious. Many are calling for Christians to reach out to this “estranged” group for their aid. However, the more I try to be objective about what’s happening, the less “sympathy” I have for the demonstrators. Please correct me if my understanding is incorrect at any point, but it seems to me that we have men, women, boys and girls who have entered the country illegally protesting that the idea that they might face the consequences of their actions. What’s more, they want to be consoled for being “picked on.”
The entire scenario reminds me of a story related by Cornelius Plantinga in his book Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin. Some time in 1980’s New Orleans, two men cooked up a get rich quick scheme. One of the men married a young woman, taking out a large life insurance policy on her. While on their honeymoon, he took her out for a walk one evening. As his accomplice appraoch in a rental car, he nudged her into the road to her death. The suspicions of the insurance company soon brought the two men to trial. What was astounding was the complete lack of remorse demonstrated by the men. In fact, they complained of the way police singled them out, investigated them, questioned them, and finally charged them, all unfairly. The two men actually argued that, not only should they not be charged, they should be consoled!
This is the true heart of man isn’t it? Pride swells up and begins to blind us until we’ve justified our sin. Yes, many of these immigrants have worked extremely hard, but they have done so illegally and that cannot be forgotten. NPR recently reported that the difference (plus or minus) made in the economy by the illegal immigrant work is less than one percent, so the argument that they sustain our economy is simply false.
What we have in these immigration protests is a perfect picture of the sinful heart. When confronted by God after eating the fruit, Adam subtly tried to shift the blame, first to the woman, but ultimately to God Himself arguing: “the woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12). This is exactly what we see happening in the protests. Men and women who rail against the government instead of admitting their own sin.
While I agree that Christians must be sensitive in such situations, I worry that what’s actually be asked is that we forget the idea of sin. Many of these protesters are here illegally, and as such, we ought to be the first to recognize that actions always have consequences. When those consequences come, you don’t resent them for being there, rather, you turn the eye inward and ask how you found yourself hating the one who seeks to correct you.
We still have much to learn about the human heart from flags and protests. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear.
- Read AZ Central’s “Mexican Flags Draw Dissent”
- Read “Whose Country is This?” by Cal Thomas.
- Read “Illegal Ingrates” by LaShawn Barber.
- Read “How Does Mexico Treat Its Illegals?” by Larry Elder.
- Read Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin by Cornelius Plantinga.
Hey Brother,
just wanted to say thanks for writing about this issue and that I agree with you completely. I also wanted to share some scripture that came to mind after reading your article. The Lord Bless You.
Lamentations 3:39-42
39 Why should any living man complain
when punished for his sins?
40 Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the LORD.
41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
to God in heaven, and say:
42 “We have sinned and rebelled
and you have not forgiven.
First and foremost, I agree that this is a touchy subject, and one is sure to offend somebody from one side or another as soon as one begins to speak. Having said that, I agree whole-heartedly that while I do not have a problem with immigration, I do not think we can overlook illegal immigration. The bottom line is that it is still illegal. If people (from any country because it isn’t just Mexico)want to come live in America, they should be willing to obey all our laws as we are required to obey all our laws and by coming in illegally, they are breaking rules right off the bat. I think the proposed legislation is actually fair and doing a great deal to compromise with illegal immigrants by allowing many of them to stay while they file the appropriate paperwork. It is true that some immigrants (I believe those who have been here less than two years?) will be asked to leave entirely and begin the immigration process correctly. Those who claim that is unfair are like the kid who gets caught shoplifting in the candy store and claims it is unfair to have to pay for it. As I said in the beginning, I have no problem with immigration, but I strongly feel it should be done legally. And by the way, good point about waving the Mexican flags. One last comment,…it may be true that “the difference (plus or minus) made in the economy by the illegal immigrant work is less than one percent,” I would like to know what the percentage is of all immigrants in our economy, legal and illegal. Many legal immigrants are rallying with the illegal ones during the protest and will not be going to work today (Monday.) But mainly I bring it up for those people who rail against immigration completely. We can’t forget that this country was populated by immigrants from all over the world at different times and in different numbers. Everybody I know has a mixed heritage. While we look ahead to where we are going, we can’t forget where we came from. It’s our united diversity, “one nation under God,” that is a large part of what it is to be an American. I’m not a genius, and I never claimed to be a scholar, but that’s my two cents. :)
Brent,
What if the illegal status is given because of an unjust law? I’m not so sure I want to draw such a strong connection between “illegal” and “sinful?”
Brent & All:
Good comments on a volatile subject…so much so that you rarely hear any reasoned, logical debate. Something clearly needs to be addressed by our leaders, but I’m afraid that they (all parties involved) will do what is politically expedient versus what is right for our country.
I spent over 20 years in the food processing industry out west, as both an employee and an employer, before becoming a pastor and this has shaped my feelings about the issue. I have worked with and am friends with immigrants, both legal and illegal. (Although I’m not sure that my experiences and relationships would be the majority or average experience.) Since it is a subject I’m familiar with and I’m a preacher I could ramble forever…but some other time.
One point…I’m not sure I buy NPR’s numbers on the 1% impact (a statistics minor in college makes me a little suspect of most of the research numbers reported). While, NPR’s numbers may be true for the overall economy, there could be and would be a much more significant economic impact in specific industries, like farming and food processing, and in specific locations in the country. In fact, I would say that in certain instances the impact would be severe to devastating. And even though the greater impact is in certain industries or areas I believe that the ripple through the economy would be greater than 1%.
We need to stop illegal immigration AND we need good immigration policy that works. One without the other will not work. That is why we pay our leaders the big bucks…to make the tough decisions. If it was easy, anybody could do it. Now its time for them to step up and do what our country needs.
What, or who, determines whether a law is unjust or not? If a man-made law does not violate or contradict scripture, we are obligated to honor it. This is clearly commanded by Paul in Romans 13:1-5. If you can prove that our immigration laws somehow violate scripture, I’m with you on the difference between “illegal” and “sinful.” In this case; however, you will be hard-pressed to find scriptural support for our immigration laws being unjust.
Abortion is a perfect example of an unjust law. Abortion is clearly sinful and violates God’s law concerning murder and His command for us to defend the defenseless, so the man-made law allowing abortion is not a law that I must honor as a Christian.
grace and peace,
sb
The Old Testament is clear about the importance of treating sojourners and aliens well. Here is one of the many.
Leviticus 19:33-34
When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.
Anticipating discussing this passage in a non-Marcionite and yet new covenant manner, :)
Mike
There are many similar quotes to the Leviticus quote, in Deuteronomy. Clearly, aliens must be treated by Christians in a compassionate manner. I also think that after 9-11-2001 there should be extremely intense control of both borders, and this issue of national security over-rides all other issues (other than basic compassion and civility). I think that there is not enough constant discussion of 9-11, which changes the immigration issue altogether. I am half-Mexican (a citizen of U.S.) and appreciate the sober discussion on this blog.
There seems to be at least two prominent lines of thought here. One, treat the aliens and sojourners in a compassionate manner and two, we are called to obey and uphold the (just) laws of our land (Romans 13, etc.)
From a Biblical viewpoint, I suppose the main issue then becomes whether or not both can be implemented or are they mutually exclusive, does one view “trumps” the other?
Without thinking through all of the implications, my first reaction is to lean towards the “law abiding” side. The current immigration policy, though in need of reform does not seem to be unjust, nor does it cause sin and therefore, I want to encourage legal immigration and discourage breaking the law, but that does not mean we can turn away those in need, so maybe I’m right back to simply questioning.
Thoughts?
I had to laugh…you ran around the circle I’ve been around many times: helping those in need versus my knowing that they are here in violation of U.S. law. If I help them, I am in violation also, am I not? I suppose you could adopt a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy when dealing with our “aliens and sojourners,” but that only works in a limited way. If you are helping and working with people on a regular basis you will begin to develop relationships and friendships and soon the information will become known. Now it is no longer a “discussion” on a blog, but real people, with real faces, and real needs. Then what? Continue to help? Turn them in? Which one “trumps” the other?
I’m with Shawn B. on finding scriptural support for our immigration laws being unjust. I do not think you will find it. Are those that are here “sojourners and aliens” or just “illegal?”
Like I said before, I’ve been in the middle of this dilemma for over 20 years. These are now friends and brothers and sisters in need. When stuck in a place like this I try to ask myself, “what is the greatest good” or “what is the most redeeming thing I can do in this situation?” Then I guess I’ll have to hope and pray that my idea and God’s idea is the same thing!
I agree that we need to encourage legal immigration. This will not happen through a simple policy change only. As long as illegal immigration is as easy as it is it will continue to exist. In other words, we will have to stop illegal immigration and have a sound immigration policy, guest worker policy, or whatever, that works. I have to agree with Brent JT, the border needs to be controlled, even if we are talking about security issues only. But it will also need to be controlled to discourage illegal immigration and encourage legal immigration. But, that is only part of the equation.
The other part is what to do with all of those “illegals” that are already here?
Shall we take another lap?
Your Servant in Christ,
KCP
OK, so if we limit the discussion to whether or not being compassionate and being law-abiding can work together or must remain separate, I think we can safely agree on two things. The first being that if we see somebody in our community who is in need of food or clothing, work or shelter, spiritual truth and fellowship, we are most certainly called by scripture to minister to those people–regardless of their race, denomination, or legal status (Luke 6:30; 6:34-36; 10:25-37 and many, many more.) The second being that we certainly cannot help in any way that would cause us to break the law ourselves, since as we’ve already discussed, we are called to uphold the laws of the land (Romans 13). However, since I cannot find anything that tells me I am required by law to report illegal aliens (and maybe I am wrong about that, but I couldn’t find it anywhere) I would argue that there is certainly quite a bit that we can do as Christians to minister to these people without bringing them over illegally or hiding them from the government. We could minister to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and even help them through the process of gaining legal status if we were in a position to do so. So my argument is that being compassionate is not limited by obeying the law of the land. (However, our main objective in any ministry, of course, should be a person’s citizenship into God’s kingdom–it would be a shame for that to get lost in all the red tape.)
For His Glory,
Amber
The government really does have a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in regards to illegal immigrants. The supreme court has ruled that certain rights are guaranteed to all people, regardless of their legal status.
Among other things, this means that illegal aliens are guaranteed access to the public school systems. For two years I taught at a school in Arlington that was almost completly populated by illegal aliens. The campus officers were well aware that nearly the entire student body was illegal. Nothing was ever done. In fact, as a teacher, I was not allowed to even ask a student if they were in the country legally.
Amendment XIV
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
According to this amendment to the U.S. Constitution, illegal aliens are to be given the same protection as citizens when it comes to protection of life, liberty and property, but no where in the constitution is the US government or its taxpaying citizens required to provide illegals with free education, healthcare, welfare and the smorgasbord of other perks they receive simply by sneaking across our borders.
It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court ruled that way regarding access to the public schools. I mean, does not the word “illegal” mean anything. If a word means everything, it means nothing. It is irrational to think that someone who is here illegally is entitled to anything but a bus ticket home. Try using that logic in another country.
A much harder issue is the children who are born in the US to illegal aliens. I certainly don’t suggest breaking up families by sending the parents home. I would send the whole family home. Sounds harsh, but the parents knew they were illegal when they had their children here. It is a well-known fact that many moms-to-be come across the border with the sole purpose of giving birth so their children will be US citizens and the parents can reap the benefits. After all, membership has its privileges.
I used to work with illegal aliens in the early 80s on a golf course. I became friends with many of them and got to know their families. When one would get deported, there would be another family member or friend waiting to come across the border to take his place. A few weeks or months later, the deported worker would be back. They have been working the system for decades. We have no one but ourselves to blame for the current dilemma. I really don’t blame them for coming here. If my home country had a terrible economy, corrupt government and law enforcement, and poor education and healthcare, and the land of milk and honey was just across the river, I would be tempted to do the same thing. At the same time, I hope that I would not be so bold as to call the government and people of that country racist when they wanted to send me packing after my illegal status was discovered.
Grace and peace,
sb
I believe that it is quite possible to have our government enforce immigration laws more vigorously than it does, and to secure our borders with greater intensity, and yet have a government that is reasonably compassionate,along with a Christian citizenry that are loving and compassionate. 9-11 was so destructive to our economy (19 guys with box-cutters!) that, I’ve heard, the economic losses were approximately equal to our total WW2 shipping losses to German and Japanese submarines, dollars inflated to present value. (I heard this statistic somewhere, but cannot say where. Some grown-up.)My Mexican-American relatives are accomplished, educated, hard-working, contributing people, but, in spite of the virtues of the Mexican people (or Canadian, or people of any other ethnicity or nationality)the government should be forced to monitor and control the flow of all persons entering into this country. Each and every one. Our government’s feeble efforts heretofor have endangered national security, sent mixed messages about law and order, and strained the compassion of the public. I believe that we can obey the law individually (not hire illegals), and be compassionate Christians to illegals, while lobbying our government to secure the defense of all persons within our borders.
BJT,
Well said.
Is it possible that criminalizing illegal immigration is not the solution? Making these men and women felons does not seem to be a wise solution for anyone (just thinking out loud here looking for feedback).
Brent - I think if you monitor or control the flow of illegals, “each and every one” as BJT says, then combine this with a sound immigration/guest worker policy, then those that cross the border (or attempt to) will need to be dealt with severe enough to deter more problems…other wise we go right back to the same mess we are in now. Of course this solution would have to do with FUTURE immigration policy and controls.
Perhaps you are referring to those that are already here illegally? I don’t see how we could make them all felons. It would make a mess.
Michael – I also ran into the government ‘don’t ask, don’t tell” policies. While working for one company, we were threatened with a fine because we were not providing enough documentation to insure against employment for illegal aliens. About two months later the same company was threatened with a fine because they were “over documenting” while trying to insure that no illegal aliens worked at the company.
So…control the borders, so the country is secure and the immigration policy can be enforced. Pass good immigration/guest worker policy that works and ENFORCE it. Offer some sort of amnesty for those already here???
Gee, this is so easy! (You have all had great comments) I wonder why this hasn’t been done before?
