What does scripture say?

Commands to care for immigrants

⚬ Love the foreigner: 

You shall love the stranger as yourself, for you were once strangers in the land of Egypt (Leviticus 19:33-34).

⚬ Do not oppress:

When a foreigner resides in your land, do not oppress them, and do not wrong them (Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:33).

⚬ Provide for the poor and foreigners:

Do not reap the edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest; leave them for the poor and the foreigner (Leviticus 19:9-10).

⚬ Show justice: 

Do not deprive foreigners among you of justice (Deuteronomy 24:17).

Principles for handling immigration

⚬ Human dignity: 

Every person is created in the image of God, and this applies to immigrants as well (Genesis 1:26).

⚬ Submission to government: 

Followers are called to submit to governing authorities, as they are instituted by God (Romans 13:1-5).

⚬ Justice and compassion: 

There is a call to both justice and mercy, meaning Christians should show compassion for the foreigner while also advocating for just laws and obeying them.