What does the Bible say about illegal immigration?

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What does the Bible say about illegal immigration? We're going to answer that question.

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We wholeheartedly believe that Christians are called to be compassionate and merciful towards immigrants. We also believe that the

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United States should have a more compassionate and merciful immigration policy. However, that is not the question at hand.

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The question at hand concerns illegal immigration, whether it is wrong to violate a nation's borders and transgress its immigration laws.

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Romans 13 1 -7 makes it abundantly clear that God expects us to obey the laws of the government.

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The only exception to this is when a law of the government forces us to disobey a command of God.

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Illegal immigration is the breaking of a government's law. There is nothing in scripture that contradicts the idea of a sovereign nation having immigration laws.

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Therefore, it is rebellion against God to unlawfully enter another country. Illegal immigration is a sin.

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Illegal immigration is definitely a controversial issue in the United States and some other countries today.

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Some argue that immigration laws are unfair, unjust, and even discriminatory, thus giving individuals justification to immigrate illegally.

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However, Romans 13 1 -7 does not give any permission to violate a law just because it is perceived as unjust.

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Again, the issue is not the fairness of a law. The only biblical reason to violate a government's law is if that law violates

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God's word. When Paul wrote the book of Romans, he was under the authority of the Roman Empire, led by Emperor Nero.

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Under that reign, there were many laws that were unfair, unjust, and or blatantly evil. Still, Paul instructed

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Christians to submit to the government. Are the immigration laws of the United States unfair or unjust?

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Some think so, but that is not the issue. All developed countries around the world have immigration laws, some more strict than the

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USA's and some less strict, and all have to deal with illegal immigration. There is nothing in the

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Bible to prohibit a country from having completely open borders or to have completely closed borders.

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Romans also gives the government the authority to punish lawbreakers. Whether the punishment is imprisonment, deportation, or even something more severe, it is within the rights of the government to determine.

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Illegal immigration is a complex issue. The vast majority of illegal immigrants in the United States have come for the purpose of a better life, providing for their families, and escaping poverty.

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These are good goals and motivations. However, it is not biblical to violate a law to achieve a good.

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Caring for the poor, orphans, and widows is something the Bible commands us to do. However, the biblical fact that we are to care for the unfortunate does not mean that we should violate the law in doing so.

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Supporting, enabling, and encouraging illegal immigration is, therefore, a violation of God's word.

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Those seeking to immigrate to another country should always obey the immigration laws of that country. While this may cause delays and frustrations, it is better than acting illegally.

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A frustrating law is still a law. What is the biblical solution to illegal immigration?

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Simple, don't do it. Obey the laws. If disobedience is not a biblical option, what can be done in regards to an unjust immigration law?

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It is completely within the rights of the citizens to seek to change the immigration laws. If it is your conviction that an immigration law is unjust, do everything that is legally within your power to get the law changed.

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Pray, petition, vote, peacefully protest, etc. As Christians, we should be the first to seek to change any law that is unjust.

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At the same time, we are also to demonstrate our submission to God by obeying the government he has placed in authority over us.

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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 to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

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For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

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Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover -up for evil, but living as servants of God.

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That answers the question, what does the Bible say about illegal immigration? Research this question further on our website

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