Illegal Immigration and the Gospel

Jesus taught that one of the greatest commandments is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” For generations of American Christians, this command has shaped charitable giving, volunteerism, and public service. It is often expressed through tangible acts of mercy, whether it be supporting local ministries, helping families in need, or caring for the vulnerable in our communities. Many rightly believe this obedience is what distinguishes the Church from a world marked by selfishness and moral decay.

Yet when the conversation turns to immigration, this same command is frequently invoked to justify an approach that is neither biblical nor sustainable.

Consider a hypothetical example. Luis Garcia is a 29-year-old Mexican man fleeing economic collapse and government corruption. He dreams of entrepreneurship, safety, and stability - dreams shared by millions before him. After traveling north through several countries, Luis crosses the U.S. border unlawfully under cover of darkness. Once inside the country, he begins working to establish a business and applies for taxpayer-funded assistance programs such as food and healthcare to survive his early months in America.

Luis’s ambition and desperation are understandable. His humanity is unquestionable. But objective context matters here.

Under federal law, unlawful entry into the United States is a criminal offense. Regardless of motive, crossing the border outside established legal processes constitutes a violation of the law. That fact does not erase Luis’s dignity, but it does define the situation honestly.

Every subsequent action must be viewed through that reality. Government assistance programs are funded by American citizens and are intended to serve those who reside here lawfully. When those systems are accessed outside legal bounds, the law is not merely bent—it is undermined.

This brings us back to the biblical question: What does it actually mean to “love your neighbor”?

Biblical love is not sentimentality. It is grace paired with truth, compassion joined with responsibility, mercy anchored to moral order. Scripture never separates love from accountability. In fact, it consistently affirms that law, rightly applied, is a gift meant to restrain chaos and guide people toward what is good.

Upholding immigration law does not devalue immigrants. It affirms that nations, like individuals, are bound by order and responsibility. No one is required to enter the United States illegally. Legal pathways exist, and while they may be difficult, difficulty does not justify lawlessness.

To suggest otherwise is not loving - it is negligent.

True love does not encourage someone to break the law and depend on systems never designed for that purpose. It points them toward the lawful path, the honorable path, and the path that leads to lasting success. Every immigrant who built a life, a business, or a legacy in this country did so by respecting the rule of law, not by subverting it.

Compassion for those fleeing hardship is essential. But compassion that abandons justice is not biblical compassion at all. Lowering legal standards in the name of kindness ultimately harms native citizens, legal immigrants, and migrants alike.

Legal immigration is not only the most stable and successful approach - it is the most morally consistent one. A nation without borders is a nation without order, and a church without moral clarity is a church without witness.

Scripture warns of the consequences when order is neglected.  Deuteronomy 28:43 reads, “The foreigner who resides among you shall rise higher and higher above you, while you sink lower and lower.” This testifies of a reality that immigration, when accountability is undermined, is detrimental and even dangerous to the citizens of an area.

Love your neighbor - but do not abandon the law in the process.