Christians, Immigration, and the Law: A Hard Conversation We Need to Have

The Current Immigration Law Enforcement

Currently, the enforcement of immigration laws is not only dividing the United States but also the Church. Many church leaders, professors, and Christians are speaking out against ICE's efforts to deport individuals living in the country illegally, while others are advocating for mass deportation and everything in between. As believers, how should we respond? Are we called to oppose or disrupt the enforcement of the law, or is there a more biblically grounded approach?

Compassion vs. Pity: Understanding the Church’s Role

I am concerned that the Church is reacting primarily with emotion to the issue of immigration. There seems to be confusion between responding with compassion versus pity. While Christians should oppose laws that contradict the law of God, we are also called to respect the law and the authorities. Advocating or advising people to oppose and break immigration law is not a Christian stance. We understand that breaking immigration law has consequences that can be profound and significantly impact individuals , families, and churches.

Our compassionate action toward those who are in a country illegally should be to help them through the process of becoming legal.

Among those who are here illegally are many hardworking, family-oriented individuals, and even some Christians who are  serving the Lord faithfully. However, there are also dangerous and violent criminals. The situation is complex, and I understand that. But immigration laws are not unique to the United States. Every nation has laws and guidelines about immigration that it  must enforce. The U.S. has one of the highest numbers of illegal immigrants due to the fact that  laws have been inconsistently enforced and often disregarded. This is an injustice to its citizens, to those who are attempting to come here legally, and even to those who have lived in the nation illegally.

The Political Spectrum and Immigration

Throughout history, the Church has not opposed the common laws that govern nations. However, today, many Christians seem to respond emotionally rather than biblically and theologically. Many protest against deportations, but what actually changes for those living in the shadows? Even if deportations are stalled or stopped, these individuals remain undocumented, relegated to second-class status, often taken advantage of, and fearful of what the future holds. This is hardly a compassionate outcome. The stress, fear, and hardship of living undocumented are real, even in one of the easiest countries to do so.

Both extremes of the political spectrum misunderstand this issue. The Far Right’s typical response is, "Well, then leave!" while the Far Left says, "Let them stay! Give them amnesty!" However, without a border, there is no nation. Even third-world countries enforce strict immigration laws. I have traveled to islands I would never choose to live in, yet their immigration officers had every right to question my entry.

The Church’s Misplaced Focus

I believe we are witnessing a phenomenon where many Christians in the USA seem not to understand the role of the Church. The uproar isn’t because they are being prevented from preaching the Gospel. Instead, it often sounds like, “Oh no, poor people! They are poor!” So the response? Call for a stop to deportations, protest on Facebook, and feel good about “helping.” But let’s be real, how does this actually change anything for those still living undocumented? The problems continue and would even be exacerbated.

Many American Christians are letting their emotions lead, reacting out of pity rather than biblical compassion.

They are willing to sacrifice law and order, not for the sake of spreading the Gospel, but to soothe their own sense of moral superiority. However, real compassion isn’t just about feeling bad, it requires wisdom, strategy, and action that leads to true change. Jesus didn’t just acknowledge suffering, He transformed lives. So we must ask ourselves why are so many in the Church today settling for performative outrage rather than meaningful solutions?

The Reality of Global Poverty

Even if the United States were to grant blanket amnesty and welcome 100% of the populations of the world’s ten poorest countries, it would not eliminate global poverty. Actually, it wouldn’t even make a dent. Poverty is a deeply rooted issue that no single nation can resolve by opening its borders.

Yet many Christians seem to believe that stopping deportations or allowing unrestricted immigration is the compassionate solution. But is it really? The truth is, poverty is a reality regardless of immigration status. Even Jesus Himself said, "You will always have the poor among you" (Matthew 26:11). Christians are called to care for the poor, but that does not mean endorsing policies that create instability and lawlessness in the name of “compassion.”

A Call for Balanced Immigration Reform

My concern is not that Christians aren’t taking care of the poor and welcoming the stranger. Those are biblical mandates. My concern is that some people’s judgment is being compromised, partly due to a lack of understanding of the complexities of immigration and partly due to self-righteousness. I have seen Christians be more vocal, active, and emotional about this issue than about the persecuted church or evangelism.

So, what is the solution? I believe we need compassionate immigration reform, one that strengthens the nation while upholding justice and dignity. Unfortunately, such reform would not satisfy either extreme of the political spectrum.

The Far Left will not like it because first we must secure the border and stop illegal entry. No immigration policy can function properly without first enforcing existing laws. Criminal offenders must be deported.

The Far Right may not be willing to recognize the reality that millions of undocumented individuals have built lives, businesses, and families here. Many of them have no viable path to legal status due to a broken system. A fair solution would provide a structured, merit-based path to legalization, penalizing those who broke the law by entering illegally with fines while allowing them to earn legal status based on good moral character, community contribution, and work history.

True immigration reform must balance security with mercy, justice with opportunity, and law with compassion.

The question is: do we want to push for real solutions, or do we just want to make noise?

Addressing the Church’s Internal Immigration Issues

We need to acknowledge that many undocumented immigrants are in our churches; they are not just nameless faces in political debates. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Many of these individuals own homes, run businesses, and are now grandparents. We cannot simply blame them when, for years, there has been no clear pathway to legal status. Both political parties have used immigration as a pawn in election cycles, failing to provide lasting solutions.

So, what do we truly want? Do we want to put an end to this and work toward meaningful reform? Do we want to pray for stability, prosperity, and law and order in our nation? Or are we content with performative activism, typing passionate posts on Facebook while ignoring the people sitting in our own pews?

A Personal Testimony on Immigration Challenges

The reason I am writing this is that it deeply bothers me to see pastors, Christian leaders, and Christian professors using their professed Christianity to speak against enforcing laws. It’s worth considering that some of those who are most vocal in supporting illegal immigration have not always taken the time to engage with those affected by it in their own congregation. Additionally, when individuals navigating the legal process have faced injustice, these leaders' voices have often been absent. I say this from personal experience.

As a legal immigrant sitting in those pews, struggling through the immigration system, I experienced firsthand the lack of concern or sympathy for those who are literally in your sphere of influence. That’s why it’s difficult for me to see love behind certain online statements and emotionally charged arguments that offer no real solutions.

A Call to Denominational Leaders

Denominational leaders and pastors: what about the foreign pastors who came into this country on a religious visa through your denomination? Many of them left successful congregations back home because they were invited to do missional work here only to have their paperwork neglected. In some cases, district superintendents signed letters to immigration promising a salary; yet when these pastors arrived, the promised support never materialized. Others were brought in to plant ethnic congregations but were reassigned as assistants or, worse, reduced to custodial work—far from what was stated in their immigration paperwork.

Can we address the fact that some of the pastors serving in our churches are now undocumented because denominational leaders failed them, not because they failed to follow the law? Before making public statements of compassion for those crossing the border, shouldn’t we first do right by those already serving within our own denominations?

The Church has a unique ability to legalize its foreign workers, yet we allow our credibility to erode by abandoning those who came here legally at our invitation.

What if I told you that I faithfully pastored congregations, including ones where the majority of members were undocumented, all while struggling with my own legal process? What if I told you that I was often asked, “Pastor, can you pray that my cousin crosses the border safely and that ICE doesn’t catch him?” and I had to respond with wisdom and conviction? How can I, in good conscience, pray for something that may also put a family at risk legally, endanger members of the family, involve drug trafficking, or put a law enforcement officer’s life at risk?

Compassion toward the alien does not require abandoning reason. Our mission is to preach the Gospel, disciple believers, and advance God’s kingdom regardless of borders, not be immigration officials.

Conclusion: A Balanced, God-Honoring Approach

I preach the Gospel: repentance from sin, the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and hope for the future. I welcome everyone to the Church, documented or not, but my message is this: God is everywhere. The mighty dollar is not your savior! Trust in the Lord. The USA is not the “Promised Land.”

I had to live out my own preaching by leaving the country every time our process was interrupted, each time receiving the dreaded letter stating we had two weeks to leave. The last time this happened, I surrendered and said, "Lord, if You don’t want us to go back, that’s fine. I will serve anywhere. If we must stop pastoring, that is also fine. I will serve You as a church member."

The Church must not lose sight of its mission. Be compassionate and merciful by helping others honor the law of the land and work through the process of immigration. Advocate for laws that honor God. Do not confuse pity with compassion.

Pity makes you feel better about yourself; compassion takes wise, intentional action that leads to real change.

When Jesus had compassion on people, their circumstances changed for the better; it was never just about making them less visible to society.

Let’s pray for the protection of law enforcement officers. Let’s pray for immigration laws that provide a just and biblical path forward. Let’s pray for those in difficult immigration situations. Let’s pray for victims of violence and human trafficking. Most of all, let’s pray for salvation because that is the greatest hope we can offer to any person, regardless of where they live. May Christ be glorified in all we do.