A friend of mine recently posted this on social media:
“At what point do we simply take down the Statue of Liberty? If immigrants are simply no longer welcome in America, what’s the point of having her there?”
For those who believe in the law, this is “woke” talk. However, this kind of sentiment captures the emotional struggle many Americans—and especially Christians—feel about immigration in the United States. And today, on Independence Day, it feels especially significant. As we celebrate the birth of a nation founded on freedom, justice, and the belief that all men are created equal, we’re reminded that immigration has always been part of America’s story. The tension between welcoming newcomers and maintaining national security goes to the very heart of who we are as a country—and as followers of Christ.
Some believe strict immigration enforcement contradicts the Christian calling to care for the foreigner and stranger. Others argue that immigration laws exist to protect our nation and must be respected. So, which is it? How should Christians think about U.S. immigration laws and the treatment of those who enter the country illegally?
Scripture on Obeying Government
First, let’s start with what the Bible teaches about obeying governing authorities. Paul writes in Romans 13:1-2 (ESV):
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
Peter echoes the same principle:
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him…” (1 Peter 2:13-14, ESV)
Scripture is clear: God appoints civil authorities to maintain justice and order. As Christians, we are called to obey the laws of the land unless those laws directly require us to sin or violate God’s commands.
In the case of U.S. immigration laws, these laws are not inherently sinful. They are designed to protect national security, maintain order, and manage the complex realities of resources, safety, and sovereignty. Like any laws, they can be flawed or misapplied, but the existence of immigration laws themselves is not immoral.
However, the previous administration did not consistently enforce existing immigration laws, and now cities throughout the country are facing a crisis beyond what any nation could handle. Mass illegal immigration is straining all areas of the social system—from education, housing, and healthcare to law enforcement and public safety.
When someone enters the country illegally, they break civil law. Under Romans 13, the government has the right and responsibility to enforce those laws. That means detention, legal proceedings, and sometimes deportation. Many argue that to overlook these violations is to ignore justice, undermining the rule of law and the nation’s security.
Scripture on Caring for Immigrants
Yet the Bible also says much about how God’s people should treat foreigners and strangers. For instance:
Exodus 22:21 (ESV): “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
Leviticus 19:33-34 (ESV): “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself.”
Deuteronomy 10:18-19 (ESV): “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
God’s heart for the foreigner is clear: compassion, justice, and love should define how we treat those who are vulnerable, displaced, or seeking refuge.
I believe all Christians should agree with these verses. However, what if the foreigner breaks into a nation, crosses the border illegally, overstays their visa, or lies about why they’re seeking asylum?
The Tension: Law and Compassion
This brings us to the real struggle. Christians affirm the need for lawful order and national security. Yet we also can’t ignore the suffering of those who flee violence, poverty, or persecution. So how do we reconcile these principles?
We do have a system in place for legitimate asylum claims. A person must be able to demonstrate that they were persecuted or have a credible fear of persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
It’s important to understand that compassion does not always mean agreeing to open borders or ignoring laws. Compassion can—and should—coexist with justice. Immigration laws exist not because immigrants are unwelcome but because a nation has the right to manage who enters its territory for the welfare of its people. Most nations can’t handle a massive influx of immigration. In the USA, our massive debt is partly due to having to provide assistance to illegal immigrants.
Most conservative Christians, including many Trump supporters, are not opposed to immigration itself. They support legal immigration. The frustration arises when people cross the border illegally and are then portrayed solely as victims, while ignoring that they have violated established laws.
Anyone crossing illegally, according to U.S. law, faces arrest, detention, and removal from the country. That’s the law.
Some accuse U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of “kidnapping” individuals. Yet the reality is that arrests made by ICE involve people who have either entered illegally, overstayed visas, or committed other crimes. Being taken from one’s family is heartbreaking—but it is also a consequence of breaking the law. If an American citizen breaks the law, they too can be separated from their family. Law enforcement isn’t “kidnapping” individuals but carrying out lawful arrests under statutes passed by Congress.
Compassionate Enforcement
That said, Christians should also insist that enforcement of immigration laws be humane and just. Torture or abuse should never be part of enforcement—and it is not happening in U.S. immigration enforcement. The Bible calls us to compassion and mercy. However, showing compassion can be difficult when law enforcement officers and their families are being threatened or targeted by protestors or family members of those violating the law.
Compassion doesn’t mean lawlessness, but it does mean treating every person—even those who have broken the law—with dignity. Christians can support secure borders while also advocating non-violent apprehension, unless law enforcement officers face dangerous threats from gang members, protestors, or violent offenders.
A Balanced Christian Response
So, back to the question: Should we take down the Statue of Liberty? Absolutely not. Lady Liberty symbolizes the American ideal of welcoming those “yearning to breathe free.” But that welcome has always existed within a framework of law and order. It’s not easy—but that’s what makes it so special.
As Christians, we must hold two truths in tension:
Obey the government and respect the rule of law, as commanded in Scripture.
Show compassion and justice toward immigrants, as also commanded in Scripture.
As a government, we must balance similar tensions:
Enforce U.S. immigration laws by holding violators responsible for their actions.
Provide a way for the oppressed to find safety in our nation.
This means we support the enforcement of immigration laws. As Christians, we should also come alongside families who may have lost a primary breadwinner to detention or deportation. That’s something we should do for all families with fathers or mothers who are imprisoned. That’s why we have organizations like Prison Fellowship and Forgotten Man Ministries.
In the end, Christians should not be driven solely by the law but by biblical truth. We must speak with both conviction and compassion, remembering that all people—citizens, legal immigrants, or illegal aliens—are created in the image of God and precious in His sight.
I am not anti-immigrant. Many, including our family, have adopted internationally. You, as I do, likely have dear friends who are naturalized citizens of the United States. My friend and his family came here legally after the fall of communism. I fully support people coming to the U.S. who are fleeing religious or political persecution, as well as refugees from war or natural disasters.
The goal, however, should be what it was more than 100 years ago: “E pluribus unum”—meaning “Out of many, one.” Not “out of many, many.” Out of many, we’re Americans.
What brings us together? We’re a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people. We’re a melting pot of people creating a nation that encourages hard work, deep love, and personal responsibility to provide for ourselves and our families. We are a nation founded by godly men who believed in a holy God who gives us certain unalienable rights—among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.