In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul exhorts:
“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves” (Romans 13:1-2 NASB).
The majority of Christians understand that following all laws that do not expressly violate God’s laws—including immigration law[1]—is a God-given duty. This is especially true when there are legal avenues of applying for asylum—particularly for those facing religious persecution (Acts 5:29). Hence, illegal immigration wrongly “resists authority” (Romans 13:2).
Laws are to be uniform and applied equally to all. To choose to uphold some laws but ignore others (such as border laws) sends the message that laws do not apply to everyone. As Samuel Adams affirmed:
“There shall be one rule of justice for rich and poor—for the favorite in [the royal] court and the countryman at the plow.”[2]
America is in danger of going the way of so many nations before it who brought confusion on themselves by enforcing certain values and laws while ignoring others merely for political expediency. Yet what is now going on in America is not a new or unique problem. Long ago, C.S. Lewis acknowledged:
“Such lopsided ethical developments are not uncommon, and other ages too have had their pet virtues and curious insensibilities.”[3]
Today, far too many are using their “pet virtues and curious insensibilities” as the basis of which laws should be obeyed or ignored. This leads to illogical and inconsistent policies.
For example, it is ironic that many who are decrying the alleged mistreatment of migrants at the US border are ignoring the significant fact that 70% of the migrants who arrive here became victims of violence during the caravan to reach the border. In fact, 1 in 3 women have been sexually assaulted by other migrants traveling with them.[4]
Open borders draw far too many with the wrong type of character; open borders are a magnet for those who exploit women and others. As Vice President Pence affirmed:
There’s nothing compassionate about open borders. There’s nothing compassionate about refusing to change the laws that human traffickers use to take advantage of poor families. Those who would advocate open borders, free healthcare for illegal immigrants, and making illegal immigration legal are making it easier for human traffickers to mistreat poor and vulnerable families. That is morally wrong, and that has got to stop![5]
Nearly 20,000 slaves are trafficked into America every year, of whom about 80% are forced into sex slavery.[6] The silence from the #MeToo movement about this danger lurking at the border is deafening.
Stopping illegal immigration is a pro-life issue. Until borders are controlled and criminal cartels held accountable, women and children will continue to be victimized on the altar of “humanitarianism.” The violence they allegedly flee may pale in comparison to the horrors they actually experience in their journey to the land of the free, and then the abuse they experience after they arrive here.
As Christians, we must not sit idly by as others weaponize out-of-context “Christian compassion” for their own political gains. The Bible is clear:
“Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities—to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed” (Titus 3:1 NASB).
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[1] Hartig, H. (2018, May 24). Republicans turn more negative toward refugees as number admitted to U.S. plummets. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/05/24/republicans-turn-more-negative-toward-refugees-as-number-admitted-to-u-s-plummets/
[2] Adams, S. (1772, November 20). Amendment IX. Retrieved from http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/amendIXs3.html
[3] Lewis, C. S. (1940). The problem of pain. United Kingdom: The Centenary Press.
[4] The facts about the humanitarian crisis in Mexico and Central America. (2019, February 5). Retrieved from https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/news-stories/news/facts-about-humanitarian-crisis-mexico-and-central-america
[5] Remarks by Vice President Pence at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Patriot’s Gala. (2019, June 30). Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-vice-president-pence-faith-freedom-coalitions-patriots-gala/
