Subscription Lists
Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Is the title of an excellent book co-written by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang,1Christian advocates of immigration reform who seek to interject justice, compassion and truth in the immigration debate.
Their attempt at an honest and even-handed approach to this often contentious debate – both in congress and on the streets of America – seem to me to revolve around comments and questions posed about midway through their book. “Since the time of the Puritans, who emigrated from Northern Europe seeking religious freedom in the west, immigration has defined the United States as a country and added to the richness and vitality of America today. Many of the immigrants in the United States today were driven by the same reasons and hope for prosperity that attracted the founders of our country to a new land. Now that the United States is a stable, settled country, however, is immigration still beneficial to the United States? And if so, how many more immigrants can the United States sustain?” The Rev. Richard Cizik framing the conundrum many Christians find themselves in today when he says, “Most evangelicals are caught in between wanting to have responsible border policy with compassion for the alien. It makes coming up with a fair balance here very difficult.”2
The problem often lies in our perception of things, which is our own personal take on reality. One principle perception in America today is that we are facing an unprecedented wave – or invasion – of illegal aliens who drain our already strained social services and public education systems and commit various and sundry crimes after arriving. The other primary perspective is that millions of people have indeed come to America, primarily for economic reasons but seeking personal, religious and political freedom as well; reluctantly deserting their homelands and often leaving their families behind for a chance at a better life. Just as many of our ancestors did centuries ago.
The challenge for Christians being to sort through the rhetoric of both sides and discern the truth, which is present to some extent in the two positions of the debate; viewing the different perspectives through the lens of faith – not fear, bigotry or the simplistic belief in something because it appeals to our preconceived notions. (Much of what is known by people today coming to them from secondary sources – he said, she said type of stuff – which is often absolutely untrue.) It being critical that our assessments be based on principles that reflect Godly justice, which is anchored in compassion. Helping create a society that genuinely reflects the standard imprinted on our coinage – E Pluribus Unum or Out of many, One.
Of paramount importance is the fact that immigrants are people – just like us – made in God’s image, deserving dignity and respect. We absolutely must abide by the laws enacted by our “Godly ordained” leaders in government (Romans 13:1), taking care however to never allow the debate to center solely on the statistics bandied about by both sides; grounding the issue on God’s expectations of us to, “…act justly and to love mercy…” Micah 6:8 (Echoed by Christ in Matthew 23:23) Among the several injustices God promises to quickly judge and punish being, “…depriving aliens (of) justice,…” Malachi 3:15
The reality being that of the estimated 37 million immigrants in our country today, 7 out of 10 are here legally. That leaves approximately 11-12 million undocumented people within our borders, their illegal status arising from crossing the border surreptitiously and over-staying work and study visas. Which does not necessarily make them criminals! (And while some do commit crimes while here – so do some of “us” – but the majority do not.) In fact, surprising to many is the fact that at least 1/3 of the U.S. recipients of Nobel Prizes over the past several years have been foreign-born, while 25% of all venture backed companies are started by immigrants and/or their descendants; many coming to America with a good education and money ready to invest. Others don’t share in these benefits, but how much should that really matter? Should we value people strictly by their financial portfolio and educational diplomas? How much of God’s resources, from which we have all benefited, should we be willing to share with the less fortunate? Especially with people who do indeed come from different cultures than ours, but who never-the-less share our values of faith, family, hard work and loyalty; which is particularly true of many immigrants coming from Central and South America.
Immigration policy today does in fact favor the wealthy, educated, self-sufficient individual applying for legal permanent status; as opposed to considering those without those assets. Which doesn’t reflect the sentiment that for years found expression in a poem penned by Emma Lazarus in 1883, found inscribed today on the statue of liberty. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I will lift my lamp beside the golden door!” (It being ironic that the U.S. expended so much time, money and effort tearing down the wall of ideals represented by the Berlin Wall and Iron Curtain, only to now be erecting one at great cost between us and a neighbor we aren’t even at war with.) As early as 1965, then-President Lyndon Johnson conceded the fact of diminishing resources but also spoke out against discriminatory practices in the immigration system, which should apply yet today. “The days of unlimited immigration are past. But those who do come will come because of what they are, and not because of the land from which they sprang.”4
The core of a Christian response to this issue is the command to love our “neighbors.” (See Matthew 23:37-40), the application of that command applying – at least in part – to aliens and immigrants as well as native-born citizens. (The designation alien having the unfortunate connotation of “other-worldliness” or someone of insurmountable differences.) And there is a point to be made that neighborliness certainly speaks to integration and acceptance on both sides, especially when it comes to language. Rudyard Kipling writing, “The stranger within my gate, he may be true or kind but he does not talk my talk. I cannot feel his mind. I see the face and the eyes and the mouth, but not the soul behind.”3 A shared language making possible the jests, nuances and subtleties of conversation that allow for relationship and understanding between people.
The frustration of not being able to understand one another lends credence to the fear that we are in danger of losing our identity as a nation. Which is a legitimate concern. But instead of creating barriers and isolating ourselves from everything that appears different – and therefore dangerous – we must use the basic principles of our heritage, grounded in love of God and respect for the individual, to resolve the differences inherit in this debate. Which will only happen when our policy is informed by our faith.
Check back next week for more on this complicated issue of welcoming the stranger.
1Published by IVN Books, a division of Inter-varsity Press
2Quote taken from Welcoming The Stranger
3From Daniel Hanoan’s Inventing Freedom, published by Harper Collins
4Quoted from Welcoming The Stranger
Rate it:
Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Point of Reference" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.