What the Bible says about immigration

Photo by Michael Bourgault on Unsplash

Despite the claims of conservatives, the Bible was clear on this point

Like other religions that grew up in the harsh desert environment of the Middle East, such as Islam or Zoroastrianism (which has a surprising amount in common with Christianity), the Judeo-Christian Bible commanded its followers to treat strangers with generosity.

Young persons sitting within a wire mesh compartment in the Ursula detention facility in McAllen, Texas, dated June 2018. By US Customs and BorderPatrol — This Image was released by the United States Department of Homeland Security with the ID 180617-H-BP911–635 (next). Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70015169

It makes sense. After all, if you were wandering through such a harsh environment, when you finally reach a human settlement, if the residents did not respond with hospitality, it could mean death to the traveler. And since people did not know when they would next be in need of assistance, they knew that caring for strangers was necessary because they never knew when they would be in need of the assistance of strangers. In a way, it was an ancient command to pay it forward.

Indeed, the Torah, the first five books in the Bible, include far more commands to love the stranger than it does to love the neighbor.

In Deuteronomy 10:19, God commands “you shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”