“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9
My young immigrant friend keeps calling me. He knows that I work with churches and groups on immigrant/refugee ministry and that I keep up with what is happening from a policy perspective. So, he keeps calling and texting. He was brought here illegally when he was 2 years old. He’s now in his late 20’s and has lived in America all of his life. He is married and has children, all of whom are U.S. citizens. He works a job to support his family and works hard. He’s never been in trouble with the law and is a leader in his immigrant community.
My friend is currently allowed to do all of this because of DACA – “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” – that President Obama instituted to protect immigrant “Dreamers” from deportation in light of Congress not being able to pass legislation. He trusted our government’s offer, came forward, applied, paid the fees, went through background checks, and has kept up with his paperwork and has continued to abide by the terms of the program. Through this, he can provide for his children, who are U.S. citizens. DACA, which protects 860,000 people like my friend, is now under assault from 10 state Attorneys General who have warned President Trump that if he does not revoke DACA by September 5th, then they will file a lawsuit to have it struck down.
While President Trump has kept the program in place and indicated that he actually does not want to see Dreamers deported, his Justice Department has indicated that they will not defend DACA in the courts. As one Republican leader told me recently, “DACA is dead. We need a replacement.” I’m less interested in defending DACA than I am in what happens to the 1 million+ Dreamers if/when DACA goes away.
“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”—Leviticus 19:34
“Yeah we must pray, because my wife is already afraid because if they cancel DACA, they know my address …they might come for me…i asked the attorney and he said if they cancel it they will start to deport all the Dreamers without a criminal check … I’m scared too.”
This was the message from my friend the other day. His wife is afraid. He fears what will happen to him and his family. Keep in mind, he was brought here at 2 years old. He didn’t make the decision to come here. And, he is here legally under the protection of our government. But, that protection is in danger. What are we going to do about this? These are people in our churches.
If DACA goes away this Fall, as it very well could do, and if Congress does not pass legislation as a replacement, then all of these young people are stripped of their protection and reenter the larger population of undocumented immigrants who are subject to deportation. According to the release of internal DHS memos, the reality right now is that all of the undocumented immigrants in our country are now, essentially, priorities for deportation, whether one is a criminal or not. I’m personally aware of stories when people who came here as teenagers and young people are being pulled over for traffic stops in Georgia. Police ask for identification. When it can’t be produced, they aren’t just given a ticket, but are taken into custody and sent to a Federal detention facility where they await deportation. Whether or not they are the only provider for their family or if they leave citizen children behind is immaterial. Deportation has come not just to the “bad hombres,” but to the whole undocumented community.
It is one thing when violent criminals are being deported. But, what happens when it is a young man or woman brought here as toddlers and this is the only country they know?
Hear the story of Erick the Dreamer.
According to U.S. government numbers, there are 260,873 DACA recipients in the US South. There are approximately 860,000 DACA recipients overall in America. There might be a million more who are eligible and meet the requirements and are considered “Dreamers,” but have not applied.
“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”—Exodus 23:9
Evangelicals have a chance to speak and act on behalf of Dreamers. The President and political party in power making these decisions are those that we have sought to have a seat at the table with for the past several decades. Evangelicals, including Southern Baptists, voted for this president with 81% support, primarily because we thought that he would best represent biblical values on issues such as the sanctify of human life. Now that 1-2 million lives are potentially to be affected dramatically, are we able to muster the courage to speak on their behalf? To write an OpEd? Pray? Reach out to them in concern and ministry? Call or visit a Congressman or Senator’s office and express a desire to see these people who qualify provided with legalized status?
It would be a popular decision. According to a recent Morning Consult Poll, the vast majority of Americans want to see Dreamers who qualify (who haven’t committed crimes, who work, speak English, have graduated or are in school, etc.) be able to stay in the United States, recognizing that they were brought here as children and this is the country they grew up in. These numbers are consistent with a myriad of polls on this issue over the past year or two. The numbers are striking and do not match what we often hear in the media:
- 78% over voters say Dreamers should be allowed to stay. Only 14% say they should be deported.
- 78% of Evangelicals say they should stay with legalized status, 16% say they should be deported.
- In the South, 75% say they should be able to stay and only 15% say they should be deported.
- And, among Trump voters, 73% say they should be allowed to stay in some form of legalized status, while only 23% say they should be deported.
So, while the Rule of Law is important, our form of government states that laws can be changed. Senators Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin introduced the Dream Act 2017 last week in the U.S. Senate. There are multiple versions of similar bills that have been introduced in the House. None of these bills are “amnesty.” They would only allow a path and process for these young people to get on to earn legalized status and then potentially earn citizenship down the road as they continue to work and go to school here in America. Just like I’m not advocating for DACA, per se, I’m also not advocating for one of these bills necessarily. The ultimate solution might look different from these bills. I just want to see some kind of solution for these young people, whatever the vehicle. I’ll advocate for them.
Currently, there is no way for these young people to gain legalized status unless they return to their home country and start over. That is an incredibly daunting task for someone who is 25 years old, has a family, and was brought here when he was 2 years old and has no memory of his home country. I have another friend who is 18 years old and he was brought here at 6 months old, He is the oldest in his family with 5 younger siblings who are all U.S. citizens. He told me that he doesn’t want handouts and desires to work and contribute. He is just asking if he can stay with his family and not be sent away. He knew what he was up against, but he just wants to stay with his siblings and not have to leave because of what side of the border he was born on. He is set to graduate high school this year.
These stories are endless. Evangelical Christians can make a difference here. These young people are in our communities and in our churches. So many of these young people are Christians. They play ball with our kids and have grown up alongside them in our neighborhoods. I’ve met them at SBC seminaries as they prepare for ministry and have met them in colleges. They are all around us. Can we not help them? Can we not speak on their behalf? What will be said of us who could have intervened if DACA is revoked and these young people are deported? We had all that wealth and all that power and what did we do with it? Perhaps, we will speak on their behalf and we will see a miracle. Perhaps we will be a nation not just of laws, but also a nation of mercy. Our immigration problems are 30 years in the making as our government failed in this essential task. Let’s not solve these problems by wrecking the lives of 1-2 million young people who were brought or sent here without being able to give consent. Can we not speak for them right now? The time is urgent.
Yes, we need border security, and I know that is being worked on feverishly by this administration. Yes, criminal aliens who have committed violent crimes need to be deported. Yes, the rule of law is important, and a decision to help these Dreamers get right with the law in a Constitutional and legislative way actually enhances the rule of law. But, we also must remember that these young people didn’t choose this. While we need justice, we also need mercy, especially for those who found themselves in this situation through no fault of their own. How we handle this will determine what kind of nation we are going to be for the foreseeable future.
The decision to either solve this or to deport these young people will be made by early September. We are at a crossroads. The issue has been forced. We can’t ignore this any longer. Southern Baptists could help solve this in the next 4-6 weeks if we would contact our Representatives and Senators and ask them to intervene on behalf of these young people and make a way for them to stay. Submit an OpEd to your local paper. Hold a meeting to pray for them. Go to them with prayer, ministry, comfort, and the gospel. It is amazing what an open door we have right now to minister to this population of people in need. Scripture would be on our side as would the heart of the God for the quartet of the vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the sojourner (Zechariah 7:8-14). What if we spoke out and used our freedom and influence to solve this major problem in our country on behalf of others?
What will we do? The crisis is upon us.
Additional Ministry and Advocacy Resources:
If you’d like more perspective on the issue of immigrant and refugee ministry and biblical advocacy, you can check out the When Heaven and Earth Collide Podcast on iTunes. I have interviews with SBC leaders such as Richard Land, Bart Barber, Danny Akin, JD Greear and Todd Unzicker, Bryant Wright, Matthew Hall, Vance Pittman, David Crosby, Ed Stetzer, and Trent DeLoach up so far. More are coming!
Also, here is a short video from Dr. Richard Land, former president of the ERLC, about the immigration situation and what a solution would look like.
And, finally, a resource that I prepared for the SBC Pastor’s Conference booth in Phoenix called Preaching God’s Heart for Immigrants and Refugees: Reaching the Nations in North America. This resource contains a theological perspective on immigrant and refugee ministry from Dr. Miguel Echevarria of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a missiological perspective from Keelan Cook of People’s Next Door NC, and a pastoral perspective, from Jonathan Akin, as he works through how to preach on the topic of reaching immigrants and refugees with the gospel.
And, finally, finally, Southern Baptists have spoken on this issue officially multiple times through SBC Resolutions. “Dreamers” are not spoken to directly, but these resolutions can be informative:
2011 SBC Resolution: On Immigration and the Gospel
2006 SBC Resolution: On the Crisis of Illegal Immigration.
Though in terms of policy, I think a few tweaks and some follow up legislation are needed to more wisely and charitably handle the influx of those desiring to come here, I am generally sympathetic to the DACA policy. We have been praying for more resources to send more missionaries overseas, yet now, God has decided to bring them to us (Acts 16:26). Immigrants, as a whole, maintain strong ties with their homeland. This is a great opportunity to turn complex domestic policy issue into a great evangelism strategy. Policy wise, I am conflicted on the best way forward, but Kingdom wise, it is an opportunity we can not pass up. This is a link to an article I wrote regarding the missions potential. https://emqonline.com/node/3679
Yes, BT. The policy is complicated and will be worked out by Congress. As Christians, we can speak into that and shape it from a biblical perspective. For those coming here, it is especially complicated. My concern here is for those who have already been here for some time and this is the country they know. Speaking for them and being concerned for them in brotherly love is a great way to minister to them during this very scary time in their lives. Thanks for the comment and the link!
Agreed. In addition to making sure I am adapting a biblical attitude toward the individual sojourner, immigrant, and refugee (and supporting policies that would further that attitude), I hope we also see the amazing opportunity to share the Gospel in an a kind of reverse Trojan horse kind of way. Appreciate your work in this.
BT, I totally agree. So much of what I do is to encourage churches to engage in mission to immigrant and refugees. They are here and God is sovereign. We should see this as an opportunity to engage in cross-cultural mission in our own neighborhoods and we should pivot to the nations among us with the gospel. Are you aware of the Reaching the Nations Conference at SEBTS in late October? The whole concept of Diaspora Missions will be thoroughly explored there. Very significant!
Alan, Yes, I am aware, and wish/hope I can attend. Unfortunately I will be overseas the first part of the month, and my seminar at NOBTS meets on the 26th. Not sure if I will be able to make those dates work. Diaspora missions is of great interest to me and I see the hand of God working through this movement of people, and hope the church is ready for this missions movement!
Do you write on this topic elsewhere?
Yes. Regularly. I work as a missional strategist for the Montgomery Baptist Association and help our churches engage immigrant populations in Central Alabama as well as elsewhere. From last year:http://alancrosswrites.com/reaching-the-nations-who-have-come-to-north-america-conference-august-26-27-2016/
I’m working on a book on this as well, especially as it relates to churches engaging immigrants in the South with the gospel and ministry. Hope to have it finished soon.
Alan:
I really appreciate your heart on this. I have lots of thoughts, just briefly.
1. The scriptures you cite, frankly, do not have a direct application to this. I know that you think they do, and I respect that. But if “If my people, who are called by may name, …” and the other OT scriptures that I have been used to support a kind of mix of the US and ancient Israel, have been properly seen as not applying to the US, these scriptures that you cite, also, are not really controlling here.
2. The US is to fault here. We have looked the other way when we knew people were breaking the law.
3. DACA hasn’t been around all that long, so I don’t weep for that. I see you don’t either. But it’s important to remember that it wasn’t like DACA was the law of the land. Really ever. Since it was never passed by Congress. It’s not a law. It was just a President Obama executive action.
4. I favor some sort of legislative solution here but one that does not ever grant Citizenship. I favor this generally when it comes to immigration as I am kind of a free market guy. But letting people come work in a society, is different than granting citizenship. I also do not favor dual citizenship. One should declare loyalty to one country, not 2 or more. One should not be able to live in LA and vote for the President of Mexico, and then also vote for the President of the US. That arrangement is by its nature destabilizing.
5. I do not favor birthright citizenship, and I do not believe the Constitution mandates that. The words, “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” restrict the group of citizens to a group smaller than those simply born here. We need to clear that up.
6. I would favor allowing certain people to stay, only on renewable work permits, and after vetting them to verify their stories “brought here at the age of 2 etc.” The other alternative, if they wanted to become citizens would be to return to their homeland, and then to reapply to enter and eventually become citizens, if we decide to admit them. That would give them a 2 option approach. Frankly, we should have options for people to come here and work but who would never become citizens. I don’t see why that would be a bad thing.
7. As a U.S. Citizen, I do put the needs of U.S. Citizens ahead of people who are not here legally. We have a lot of poverty in the US, and I want to see US citizens helped before we help those who are not here legally. I would favor that the federal government and states would not pass policies that would put those who are here legally on par with those who are citizens. I believe that is a moral issue, as a state has compact and obligation to its citizens. A state’s obligations to those are not here legally comes after that. I believe that most countries in the world understand and follow that same rule.
8. I suspect the lack of formal action on this matter is a “soft” tactic that is designed to reduce the immigration problem. If the reports are accurate, illegal immigration is way down since the election, and it’s only through simply applying the law. No new laws have been passed. The border laws are simply being enforced. This is a great shame to our nation. We have harmed these DACA folks by not enforcing our own laws.
9. I truly believe that it is the political vision of some (not you), but some politicians to admit as many poor people to the US as possible for political reasons. It is very cynical in my view and harmful to those people. The transfer of wealth from US citizens to non-citizens, including those here illegally is staggering. The children of citizens are literally being robbed, but people are often too naïve to perceive that.
I really do think that a legislative solution is possible, but not if it includes amnesty or a “path” to citizenship. That was done in 1986 and it has been a great disaster. Our largest state, California, is now (I believe) 39% Hispanic. It is in unfixable debt. It will never again elect anyone close to a Ronald Reagan. And there is a strong secession movement there that is being discussed.
So, I favor helping people and finding a solution, just not one that rewards law breaking or one that will incentivize further mass illegal entry into this country as the 1986 amnesty did.
I realize that I may be the minority here. And I hope that people will understanding that I am simply trying to articulate what policies I think would be best for the most people over the long haul.
Louis, thank you for sharing. I see your heart in this and do not fault you. To be clear on a couple of points:
1. Scripture. I get that the United States is not Israel and those Scriptures are not binding on the U.S. Perhaps I should have been more clear. I DO see them as reflective of God’s heart for His people and reflective of the ATTITUDE that we should take toward the sojourner and alien. So, for me, I read those Scriptures and they help shape my perspective toward people in need. I would probably see them similar to how you do related to Israel, the Church, and nation-states today.
2 – 9 : My perspective on this is simply that we have young people who have been here for years and years and who grew up here. They did not choose to come here – or were very young when they came. Many have nowhere to go. Many have no memory of their home country. Apart from all of the other issues involving immigration, border security, law breaking, future voting patterns, government programs, etc., these are real people who are going to be thrown into the maelstrom. They are about to lose whatever protections they had. So, I am asking if we can step in and protect them somehow. Many of them are in our churches and are church members. I’m not talking about the whole undocumented immigrant population and I’m not talking about not securing our border or anything like that.
And, this is also not amnesty. This would be an earned process for those who qualify. Amnesty, by definition, is just a waving through a large number of people. Amnesty isn’t earned. It is gratis. Amnesty is more like what Jesus did for us when he declared us righteous, even though we were sinners. I’m not asking that public policy toward kids brought here illegally at a young age even reflect gospel realities. I’m just asking that our policy reflect basic human decency and fairness on a basic level. Just mercy. These kids didn’t choose this fate. It was largely thrust upon them. Can we recognize that?
While we might disagree some on the particulars, I appreciate your heart and see that you do not intend any differences to be punitive toward these young people. Thank you. I guess that just from a pastoral and ministry perspective, I’m starting with the people affected and not just the larger, big picture issues of immigration policy in general. Focusing on people made in God’s image seems to be the specific role of the church, so that is what I’m calling for – that we would speak that message to the powers and rulers so we can season this situation with salt and shine light on it.
Louis, completely agree. Well said.
Good grief! CA is 39% Hispanic! It’s a disaster! (except for the Hispanics whose lives are immeasurably better). — Is this not an example of white blindness, of a motive to preserve white privilege? Are we coddling this?
Are you saying that California is a disaster because it is 39% Hispanic?
What is an example of white blindness, of a motive to preserve white privilege? Your arguments seem contradictory, unless I am missing something, which I’m sure I am. Why don’t you explain a bit more?
John was one of my college buddies, Alan. I’m pretty sure he’s supporting you on this!
Louis,
I think in order to place immigration in it’s proper prospective is to remember we are all immigrants. We stole what we now call America from the Native Americans and even they came here from somewhere else.
Realizing that we are all immigrants allows me to have a tender heart for “all” those who seek a brighter future for themselves and want to contribute to society.
Jess:
I understand what you are trying to say here, but following your prescription literally means no country is truly legitimate.
The history of all nations is that they have been invaded by armies, migration etc. and they change over time.
No one denies that.
But recognizing that reality, and then applying it to current circumstances is quite dangerous because it legitimizes invasion and delegitimizes conscientious government.
I know that’s not what you intend to say, but questioning the legitimacy of a country’s borders and policies regarding enforcing those borders such that a country is not really entitled to enforce its borders would lead to more people being harmed and the destruction of freedom.
It’s akin to saying because the house you live is on land that was once owned by native Americans, that was then declared the property of the King, and then colonized, and then because part of the U.S. and then was settled, developed and subdivided – and your house was built – that you have no real right to claim ownership of your property and to oust those who would take it from you or squat on your land because way back when your land was acquired by force.
Just because the Moors were expelled from Europe by force as they tried to ‘migrate’ to Europe does not mean that European immigration policies today should be affected by that.
Texas and California once belonged to Spain (I think?), then Mexico. Texans gained their independence from Mexico, then joined the U.S. The U.S. fought a war with Mexico etc.
But none of that means the U.S. should return California and Texas to anyone, or that those states owe it to the ancestors of Spaniards or Mexicans to let millions of their citizens to migrate and settle there.
There is a balance here. Peoples move, migrate, history changes. A country cannot and should not remain static, but the safety and security of those in the host country (and the effect on other nations) are important such that immigration should be controlled to the benefit of the host country.
Texas first belonged to Native Americans (Indians) who fought, one tribe against another.
Then France took over.
Then the Spanish.
Then Mexico.
Then Texans won their independence and formed the Republic of Texas in AD 1836.
Then Texas joined the USA in 1845.
Then the Confederate States of America.
Then back to the USA at the end of the Civil War, and ever since.
That is the reason for the expression, Six Flags over Texas: France, Spain, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate, USA.
Louis, you’ve presented some good thoughts in this post.
David R. Brumbelow
No one is saying that we shouldn’t have borders or immigration laws. But, the examples above of how many times land has changed hands should give us some humility. For example, I’m from New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. My region has had the following inhabitants:
Biloxi, Choctaw and other Native American tribes
French explorers
British
French again in parts
Spanish
Republic of West Florida
United States
Mississippi Magnolia Flag
Confederate States of America
United States again
During that time period, there have been an influx of immigrants, migrants, refugees, and slaves from France, Spain, Haiti, other Caribbean islands, Cuba, African nations, Germany, Ireland, Italy, England, the United States, Viet Nam, and nations all over the world. Laws have changed repeatedly, as much as the river currents of the Mississippi. What does one mean by immigration law? Well, who is in power and who passed which law when?
Stand in one place long enough in the 1700s and 1800s and the country around you would change repeatedly.
All of that said, that should give us some humility and recognition that these things aren’t fixed. We’re not talking about Scripture. However, Scripture is fixed and it tells us unequivocally to have mercy on the sojourner and to love them as we love ourselves. Leviticus 19:33-34. I would not want to be deported if I grew up here all my life, had nowhere do to, had no memory of my home country, and did not even choose to come. I would want mercy and to be included into the only country that I ever knew. God’s call to treat the immigrant with justice and mercy is clear in Scripture. Applying that biblical ethic to this situation is clear. I cannot see how we could see it otherwise.
I get that we need border security and that we need to stop the flow of illegal immigration. Our laws should be respected. I’ve never argued otherwise anywhere. However, making a pathway for these Dreamers to gain legalized status and possibly citizenship if they meet the stringent criteria is neither amnesty nor is it beyond what our nation has done in the past. We can have both border security and enforce our immigration laws while also being merciful to this group of people who have been caught in the middle of a broken system for 30 years.
Thank you for the consideration on this topic. I pray that each of you will do something about this coming crisis.
I have fond memories of the Eight Flags Deer Ranch. The shootouts at the Six Gun Junction mesmerized us in our youth.
The monument said since its discovery, eight flags have flown over Biloxi: the French, English, Spanish, West Florida Republic, Mississippi Magnolia, Confederate State, Mississippi State, and that of the United States.
Alan, thanks for taking me back forty years.
I remember the 8 flags monument in Biloxi displaying the flags that have flown over the city.
https://www.biloxi.ms.us/Gallery/oldbiloxiphotos/biloxieightflags.html
Is that not what the article just said? The articlebsaid nothing of supporting anything illegal…Or do you disagree with the person he used as an example, whom has no memory of his own country, to go back there and start all over with the possibility of never returning back to the U.S?The only home he has ever known.
Alan:
Thanks for the kind reply. I totally get where you are coming from and agree with you in the main.
The fault of all of this is US. Not them. And it’s understandable. I totally understand the desire of people to make better lives.
Hopefully, the administration will give priority to deporting the right people, and frankly, I think they are, but I don’t discount for a moment that is an imperfect task and that the innocent are affected. And hopefully, our legislators will figure this out.
In the meantime, as has always been the case, if we deal with immigrants in my family or at church, the priority is to help and minister. Not be a law enforcement officer.
Amen, Louis. I agree. Thank you. Appreciate your heart.
On a more personal note, in my current work, I have met so many young people who are graduating high school who tell me they don’t remember their native country. Or, they vaguely remember a trip through the desert with their family when they were very young. They speak perfect English. The ones I’ve met are Christians. They don’t know what would happen if they are deported. Many have younger siblings who are citizens because they were born here – a status they cannot attain. They have asked me for help. I have prayed with them and have seen their tears. I’ve cried with them. Some of them try to be brave and not show fear, but you can hear it in their voices. Meeting them and working with them has changed me. I became convinced that these are people we should help and I think that this situation fits the biblical criteria for Christian-based advocacy from a mercy/justice perspective. Thank you for your consideration.
I cannot imagine. I am glad that you are in a position to help people like that.
It is a very difficult issue.
I am not opposed to that. I’d probably hold open some hope of citizenship, but it would not be easy. I don’t know.
Frankly, I have opinions but I haven’t studied the issues like Alan (or perhaps you) and I know that the intricacies of this make it difficult.
Putting myself in that situation mentally. It would be as if you were in a nightmare.
Thinking of living in the United States all my life, it’s all I have known along with the freedoms that come with that, and then to suddenly be facing deportation to a country I would not know anything about other than what I was told or read, would be like living a nightmare. I couldn’t believe it was happening, then to know that it is not a nightmare of reality would be beyond frightening.
We have to help these people and I am so grateful for those like Alan Cross who are taking on this massive effort.
They are not focusing on deporting the right people. I’ve seen news stories over the past two weeks of people who should not be high priority for deportation being detained by ICE for likely deportation. Alan’s given several examples about, take particular note of the traffic stops he talked about. In the past the focus has been on getting criminals and dangerous illegal immigrants out and leaving the upstanding, peaceful people alone. That is changing rapidly and it’s part of what causes this issue to become pressing now.
I trust you investigated beyond the news reports….as often the whole story isn’t being told on the news and once ICE reveals more details – sometimes the deportation actions that seem to “be focusing on the wrong people”… Are actually not focusing on the wrong people at all.
Alan praise God for what you’ve written here. I hope many people will listen and heed your call.
I see criticism above that you’ve misapplied the Bible passages you quoted. That’s a claim I don’t quite understand – that God wanted Israel to treat the stranger/sojourner with compassion, love, and acceptance, but that somehow only applied to Israel? While every other nation is free to treat them as poorly as they see fit? What sense does that make?
Thanks, Brent. Right. I’m not saying that Israel’s law is to be the law of America. But, OT Law is to help us understand God’s character and is to influence the Christian and his approach to life. Thus, in a Democratic Republic where “we the people” are free to influence our laws and what our government looks like, it is totally appropriate and prescribed for us to take that compassion and concern that God clearly commands Israel to engage in, and then seek to influence our own towns, states, and nation in that way – because that is the type of governmental system we live in. We do that on abortion and host of other issues. Why not on this issue too?
I don’t believe in a theocracy and I know that Israel is not the United States. But, as the church, who is to be salt and light, we must reflect God’s heart in how we see people and how we speak on their behalf. We are very clear on that overall. We just tend to not always consistently apply it.
I appreciate your position. However, as you state, God wants us to obey the laws of our country. The presumption that DACA will end in the Fall is based on the assumption that it is invalid.
While the individual you reference was brought here when he was 2, when he became an adult he knew he was in violation of the law and decided to continue to violate it. When he married and had children he knew he was illegal and the potential consequences of that status. If we allow people to violate laws because of their decisions, where will it end? Also, there is nothing that would prevent him from taking his family to His home country with him.
As you note, there is currently a path for him to be here legally and potentially become a citizen. While it may be difficult, consequences of our actions are often difficult. How would someone who is going through the legal process to live here feel about America if those who violate the law are allowed to bypass them?
This is a difficult issue and should be resolved based on principles rather than emotion.
I agree that this should be resolved based on principles rather than emotion. I am putting forward biblical principles of justice, mercy, love for neighbor, care for the sojourner, concern for families being separated, etc.
The idea of “obey the law” that you put forward is incredibly inconsistent with how our government works. Do we not ever try to change laws? Do we not elect officials so just laws can be put forward? Those here under DACA have obeyed the law by availing themselves of DACA and participating in it. DACA will only be revoked through a ruling of the courts. Then what? These people WERE obeying the law when they signed up for DACA. Now, you can say that the law was not lawful, and that is fine. But, it has stood for over 5 years. My question is, what is next?
As for, these young people paying for the “consequences of our (their) actions,” what unlawful action did the 2 year old commit? How are they morally responsible for what was done to them? They don’t leave at age 18 because they often have no resources to do so and nowhere to go. Since DACA has been in place, 860,000 of them have availed themselves of those legal protections.
I get that your arguments are fixed. I don’t understand how they are consistent with anything other than a perspective of “they weren’t born here, they are illegal and it doesn’t matter how they came here, so deport them all no matter what.” I understand you think that is fair. I disagree with you.
I’m simply asking if those who have been offered or received protection for the past 5 years continue to do so with an act of Congress. The idea of protecting them from deportation is not unlawful. The fact that it came through the President and not through Congress is what is in question. So, let’s fix that and make it right, as is our right to do. Why would we not? Under what Christian/Bibilcal principle would we just ignore the plight of these young people instead of seeking to make it right and fix this legislatively?
If Congress changes the law and allows them to stay legally of course they should stay. I think your article assumed that a court would find President Obama’s order unlawful which would mean they aren’t here legally.
Again, how would those who are pursuing the legal approval to live here feel if those who flaunt the law are allowed to stay, bypassing them.
I’m not sure what our country will be like if we follow the “do what you want to do and ask forgiveness later” philosophy.
“I’m not sure what our country will be like if we follow the “do what you want to do and ask forgiveness later” philosophy.”
I’m pretty sure that is not what happened here to these young people.
Brought here as young children by their parents illegally.
Grew up here.
Lived here for many years.
Many have no memory of their home country.
Few have adequate resources to begin a new life in a foreign country.
Have been granted legal protections to work and go to school the past 5 years.
Now face prospect of those protections being taken away.
This is a very different groups of people than those who would “do what you want to do and ask forgiveness later.”
Alan,
In the OP and the comment section, I have read you explain over and over how these young [er] people grew up here and had no choice as to where they grew up, and people keep calling them as breakers of the law.
Its not a hard concept.
Children go where their parents take them. And they should honor their parents and go with them. Neither can we expect them to grasp immigration laws when they are children.
To them, the USA is their home country. Its really all ant of them even know. They may only know English. They may only know the culture here in America. They may NOT know anyone in their country of origin.
And they are here working and seeking to become assets to society but are not citizens due to no fault of their own.
Folks, how hard is that to understand?
What is hard and without compassion is the people who simply want them to leave.
Brothers, we are aliens and sojourners in this world, in it but not of it. But neither do we deserve the world and the kingdom we now belong to, having received it by the mercy and grace of God alone. Seeing then that God has had compassion on us, instead of the condemnation we still earn by our continual sinning, should we not have compassion and empathy for the least of these?
Mike Parsons,
You are right. What surprises me is how many Christians act like agents of the state when it comes to this issue, instead of acting like the church and citizens of heaven. On other issues, we are fine with saying laws need to be changes, things are unjust, or things shouldn’t be a certain way. Could you imagine an Evangelical Christian saying that we shouldn’t oppose abortion because “the law is the law”? No, we’d say that the child is innocent and should not be aborted.
Why would we not use that same logic when it comes to immigrant Dreamers? They were brought here or sent here as children. How are they morally culpable? Why can’t we fix this part of our law that punishes children for things done TO them when they were young?
On what other issue do we take this approach? The concern expressed is about new immigrants coming illegally. Well, secure the border! I’ve said that over and over too. But, once you secure the border, you still have all of these young people who were brought here as kids who live here right now. What do you do with them?
When we who have received mercy refuse to even ask that mercy be given to others who are in desperate need, it says a great deal about the state of the church in America. I’m hoping/praying that we understand what is at stake here and step up as advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves because they are not citizens.
I agree with your perspective, Mike.
ParsonMikle
“Children go where their parents take them. And they should honor their parents and go with them. ”
Even if the parents must return to their own country because they are here illegally?
If this is all it takes, then we tell the illegals all they need to do is get here and have kids.
I am not removing compassion but compassion without order still leaves chaos. It seems some want the law to bend to the Christian compassion. The law is not an evil law, nor is is without compassion… compassion towards the legals and citizens of the USA.
Great point, Jon. There are people who clearly take advantage of the system simply by having anchor babies.
I don’t think this has been addressed yet, but regarding Alan’s example of the immigrant pastor who came as a young child and America is all he ever knew…at what point does that pastor become convicted about his status here? Is it ok to rationalize being an illegal for the sake of having compassion for the family? I don’t think so and it’s simply not fair to the other immigrants who have done things the right way to either obtain citizenship or other legal status.
Instead of justifying shielding illegals from our gov’t trying to secure the border and enforce its own laws, maybe people like this immigrant pastor could work with the IMB to help with self-deportation for the sake of mission work in wherever he goes. After a period of hopefully fruitful work in his native land, then re-apply to come back to America legally and with a clear conscience.
Hi Alan,
I had a quick question for clarification, you said in your post in multiple places that 860k-ish folks are under DACA. At another point you state that it affects over a million.
I am assuming you are referring to the folks directly covered by DACA and their families, but I was wondering if there was another set of data that I’m not seeing.
None the less, thank you for the food for thought.
860K have received DACA. There are estimates that over a million would benefit from the proposed legislation. There are multiple reasons that those eligible for DACA have not yet received it. I don’t know all the particularities of that and much of that will eventually be worked out in the sausage-making of Congressional committee work, I imagine. But, from what I understand, 860K have received DACA. 1.8 million people were brought here as children who could potentially qualify. BUT, to receive the protection offered under these proposed bills, they would have to meet a host of criteria including …
1. Background checks
2. English proficiency
3. In school or have graduated
4. No criminal record
5. Have a job or proof of work for 3 years
Basically, it seems that these bills want to afford a pathway to those who are integrating into American life and are contributing, working, providing for themselves, and obeying the law otherwise. We don’t know how many people will qualify for this criteria until people apply and go through the process. This is why this isn’t amnesty. Amnesty just clears groups of people. This is an application/qualification process. There are many who likely won’t qualify for these opportunities.
Thank you for the clarification. I know it doesn’t really change the heart of the matter, but I was curious.
Thanks for this, Alan. I honestly listen to or watch very little news anymore. This helps me understand the situation.
The major concern that I have is that any policy to allow those here illegally to become legal is that it rewards illegal behavior. It appears unjust to those who are trying to come here legally but are waiting in the long lines. What do you say to them? Sorry, you should have broken the law, too. And I know, DACA is specifically addressing those who are here by no choice of their own. Can I steal from someone else and give it to my child and claim, not their fault, can’t take it back?
And I am generally sympathetic to immigrants and their desire for a better life for themselves and their children.
Seems like you answered your own question. Those here by no choice of their own under a government who looked the other way and did not enforce its own laws for 3 decades and then granted them deferred action on deportation for 5 years should now yank that away and deport them? If your concern is justice for those waiting in line, what about these kids who grew up here and this is the only country they have ever known now being deported? Who are we more obligated to? Someone who filled out an application to come here and is waiting or someone who was brought here, grew up here, we allowed them to stay, AND we granted them legal protection where they have worked and paid taxes legally for the past 5 years? If you want to look at what is fair, who is more deserving of consideration? Was there any way for those waiting to come “the right way” to have done on their own what was done to these kids? These kids were brought here or sent here at a young age. It really does seem that justice, wisdom, and mercy would not treat them like perpetrators or “law breakers.” Surely we can see the distinctions.
The law is important and it provides needed guard rails, to be sure, so we can live in an ordered society. But, when those guard rails have been torn down for so long, they need to be rebuilt. A result of the guard rails being torn down is that a lot of things are out of place. There is wreckage and consequences. In putting things back into place, when you are dealing with human beings, lives, and families, you must proceed with a sense of wisdom, justice, and proportional response. What brings shalom? What considers the whole situation and actually promotes the sanctity of life and human flourishing? Where is punishment appropriate? Restoration? Restitution? Mercy? Just giving a “you broke the law” response to someone brought here as a baby who didn’t find out they were here illegally until they were 14 and they are now 18 and have no idea what to do or where to do is not justice.
This is a conversation for me, not an argument – a desire to figure out this tough issue. Let’s say that we have compassion and let the dreamers stay here since they are here through no fault of their own. What do you do with their parents? More compassion, or do we enforce the law? Where does that end?
Permit me to be crass, political, and totally ignore the morality, decency, and justice aspects of all of this to make an observational comment.
If the GOP enacts policies that result in otherwise law-abiding, decent, and productive people getting deported, they will get eviscerated in the press and public opinion will turn against them.
Please, President Trump and Congress – deal with border security. Deal with criminal elements among the illegals. Go for it. But if you over play your hand and start sending young people who came over here at age 2 and graduated with honors, pastors who serve their community well – decent, law-abiding (except for their entry-status) people – out of America to countries they don’t know, break up families, and rend communities, you will see story after story like the one about the AG pastor.
Such a move will not only be immoral but monumentally stupid.
Now, back to speaking of justice and morality (you more spiritual types).
Dave:
That’s why a legislative solution would be best.
Let them stay, like Green Card holders, but not be citizens.
I see no unfairness in that.
But as your rightfully caution the Reps not to overplay their hand, the Dems should willingly sign on to such a plan.
Otherwise, it would become painfully obvious that the Dem plan is to a “farm team” of future voters. That is not an insignificant danger. It can affect many things – freedom being the main one.
I ask people all of the time who generally favor more immigration to the US if they think Western Europe has pursued wise policies over the last 60 or so years. And they quickly say “No.”
It’s pretty clear that Western Europe is under siege culturally, and it is of their own making. Moreover, it doesn’t seem to be reversible.
Of course, the particular issues we face in the US are not the same as those faced in Europe. They have to deal with the negative sides of Islam.
We, on the other hand, primarily face being swamped economically, and perhaps losing important values such as freedoms of religion, speech, and economic freedom.
Overplaying one’s hand is a valid concern, however.
It will not turn their base against them. And for members of congress to steal from an old pop song, the base is all they really need.
As one who lives as a legal immigrant in a foreign country, there are laws here that I follow to work and interact properly and legally with the country and government.
I am all in for working with the immigrants (legal or illegal) in the name of Christ wherever you can and however you can but I am also supportive of a legal status that is fairly earned and legally bound.
We work with many wonderful people (here legally) but in the labor camps. It is tough ministry, mainly due to the long hours they work and little time to interact as they eat / sleep / work. Probably in reverse listed if you put a time to each of the three.
I would support a way for all illegals to get a working resident visa. Give them the criteria and give them a widow of time to get the documentation done. If they do not or cannot (let’s help them) let’s send them home.
NOW… Sending them home does not close the door to ministry, we are still commissioned to go and make disciples. If the only was we are willing to do that (and I am not making such an accusation) is if they come to us, then shame on us.
Let me add to my comments above…
The parents of the dreamers need to have a way to have legal means in which to remain. The government needs to find a way to make them legal without giving them citizenship automatically.
If the parents do not have or refuse to become legal residents (different than citizens at this point), then their minor children (dreamers) are affected by the decision of the parent, not the government (initially).
We have people here (not Emirates) that fly to the USA just to deliver (passport babies). I have talked one family out of it but it is a common thought due to the benefits we offer as a country.
Let’s be compassionate but let us not be taken advantage of.
I am not seeking anyone to agree or disagree and I am not trying to be insensitive. This is a tough topic. If we are not careful, we can begin to promote to open all borders so we can minister to the masses who will come. I am not sure if that is where we need to go or God wants us to be found doing.
The problem is decades old. Congress has not moved on this issue for too long and many suffer for it. I live in a country where the government is pernicious and laws change continually. Yet, I have managed to stay legally. There has always been a legal path. In the US that path is unclear at best and impossible to follow too often. Why are so many immigrants illegally here? Because they are criminals is the usual assumption but the reality is that the vast majority have come legally in good faith and then were betrayed by a cumbersome broken system. My wife is from Scotland, came on a student visa and then married me. We worked with immigration officials for five years during which time they lost our paper work twice, treated us like garbage, and in the end we never did get anything more than a temporary stamp in her passport. We were already in process with the Board when an amnesty opportunity came up and she took the oath as a US citizen. This story is not unusual. For immigrants to come and stay legally is a nightmare under the current non-system. Illegal immigrants are not criminals, they are victims who need our help and support.
But I hesitated to write all that because I believe that even if they are ‘bad hombres ‘ we the church should serve them.
Jon,
If the children were born outside the country and are now over 18, deporting their parents still leaves these young adults in limbo. They or many of them only know this country and our culture and know nothing or little of the land where they were born.
If they meet the requirements: working, speak English, no criminal record, and are basically contributing to our society, we as Christians should seek laws that allow them to stay and possibly have a path to citizenship.
I believe this thinking properly reflects how God sees aliens and sojourners and brings glory to Him.
There was some commentary above regarding the fact that California is now 39% Hispanic.
Here is a short article showing the recent statistics for California and some other states:
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/01/24/in-2014-latinos-will-surpass-whites-as-largest-racialethnic-group-in-california/
I believe the concern is not which particular race wins the prize for having the most. That, in and of itself, is not relevant.
The concern is the rapid shift in population trends and the impact. For a State as large as California to see these large statistical swings in such a short period of time is significant. There was a significant swing just from 2000 to 2014.
The economic status and skills of those coming to California and their attitudes toward U.S. traditions and political system are the important factors. It just so happens that Hispanic immigration to California is basically from one country. A country that is poor, much more socialist etc. The people entering are often great. We are blessed in that respect.
But if a State imports too many poor people, possible with different traditions, in a short period of time, that can cause more harm than almost any other path.
I could be wrong but I believe the population changes coincide with the State’s financial fortunes. If the State provides a lot of benefits in terms of medical care, free schooling (up to and including the college level), direct payments, and aid to families with small children, it does not take a formally trained economist to see that is not economically sustainable.
These issues do not in my opinion affect what Alan Cross is encouraging us to do in terms of ministry.
But in terms of good governance, one would hope that both federal and state officials would be working together to provide an immigration system (and we all believe in immigration – the question is how much and under what circumstances) that is designed to be peaceful, orderly, and responsible.
Louis, the requirements to be eligible for legalized status under the Dream Act are substantial:
1. Have been brought/sent here as a minor
2. No criminal record
3. In school or have graduated from High School and/or show you are continuing education
4. Speak English
5. 3 years of work or military service
In other words, the ones who would qualify must speak English, be educated, and work to support themselves. It would be an application process.
A lot of undocumented immigrants are being deported right now. A lot were deported under the Obama Administration. The border is being secured. I am asking that we consider the plight of young people who are trying to advance and contribute.
When my ancestors came, they got on a boat, registered at the port of entry, were issued work authorization, and later applied for citizenship. The current situation of people with no criminal record brought here as kids but who cannot get legalized no matter how hard they try is not the norm in American history. We can rectify this problem, if we would.
I’m asking that the church take the lead in this on behalf of these young people. It is the right thing to do.
Here’s the deal, if I were a man with a family in Northern Mexico, I would do everything I could do to get them to the US. I read in the OT about God commanding Israel to treat foreigners among them with mercy, because Israel had been strangers in Egypt. We too, are strangers and pilgrims upon the earth.