As America wrestles with open border vs “build the wall,” illegal immigration vs legal immigration, and keep families together or separate them, it is important to keep these Biblical truths from Scriptures in mind.

First, God was very particular on how His people treated the alien in their midst. Since Israel was delivered from statist bondage, it was their duty not to duplicate that scenario upon the alien in their midst. God’s word states, “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether one of your brethren or one of the aliens who is in your land within your gates” (Deuteronomy 24:14).

Israel was commanded by God not to repeat the oppression that was committed against them upon the alien. To that extent, Israel’s immigration policy reflected the teaching of Christ, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise” (Luke 6:31).

Does that mean God and Scripture supports open borders, illegal immigration, and such? Not so fast, my brethren. As with most Biblical truths, there is a divine tension that we must factor in to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Entire Old Testament books are devoted to strict immigration policies to protect Israel from neighbors bent on their annihilation. Nehemiah, Ezra, and other books speak at length at the wisdom of rebuilding broken walls, restore burned gates, and set up watchman upon the walls to protect citizens from those who intend harm.

There are some in the church who ignore these passages of Scripture to justify an open border policy. Some actually accuse others of sin if they point out the difference between illegal immigration and legal immigration. Fortunately, God’s Word does not affirm that standard of judgment.

Lastly, and this is extremely important not only for the alien in our midst but for citizens of our land, God warned if nations refused to hearken to His voice and disobeyed His commandments it would have a devastating impact as it pertains to immigration.

In the famous blessing and cursing chapter of the Bible, God warned, “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower” (Deuteronomy 28:43). This is not based upon any official policy of governments as it pertains to immigration. This pertains to the moral and spiritual makeup of nations.

If our sins have reached heaven, this is one of many devastating consequences that will visit our blood stained and perverted land. It is happening as I write and yet most do not factor this aspect of immigration and its impact upon nations. God is warning that if nations commit abominations, like child sacrifice and parading our sin like Sodom in His sight, the consequence is you get dispossessed as a people.

Is this happening in our midst? You be the judge. The only cure for this aspect of immigration does not come down to a policy. It comes down to a few passages of Scripture. 2 Chronicles 7:14 states, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Jeremiah 18:7-10 declares, “The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.”

Lastly, Isaiah warned, “For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you (Christ and His Kingdom) shall perish, And those nations shall be utterly ruined” (Isaiah 60:12).

In light of these admonishments, it is not only important that we have a correct immigration policy, but most critical is that we repent as a people and “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:16, 17).

To correctly resolve the immigration crisis, justice and righteousness must be restored in the gates of our land. For it is righteousness that exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34).