Immigrants, Refugees, Sojourners, and Aliens- what the Bible says (and doesn’t say) about Illegal Immigration and a Christian’s Response.

In Exodus 23:9, God says “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.” It’s clear from reading scripture that God desires for His people to be compassionate, kind, and understanding towards those who come to another country seeking safety or greater economic opportunity for themselves and their families. But what if an immigrant comes to a country illegally?

Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 instruct all people to follow the laws of a nation. Therefore, breaking a country’s immigration laws is clearly understood to be sin. But what if a prosperous nation like the U.S. doesn’t have compassionate or reasonable immigration laws? Are we therefore justified in supporting those who break the law because of the Bible’s command for us to show compassion, justice, and mercy to the alien and foreigner?

How are we to respond as Christians to illegal immigrants on an individual level? Is loving, showing compassion, and having mercy on them the same as promoting, enabling, or excusing illegal immigration?