For some time, there has been much controversy over US Immigration laws and enforcement.
People seem to differ over the following questions:
- Should the US have open borders such that anyone who wants to come into the US be allowed to do so but not be required or expected to register with US Authorities?
- Should the US have open borders such that anyone who wants to come into the US be allowed to do so with the hope they will voluntarily register with US Authorities but have no legal requirement to do so?
- Should the US have closed borders such that the government takes measures to ensure anyone who enters the US be legally required to obtain pre-approval or in case of an emergency go through established entry points for registration and determination made as to whether they qualify for entry under emergency conditions such as political asylum or whatever the law allows?
- If option 3 is chosen, should those who enter illegally, be required to leave or prove they qualify for entry under emergency conditions and how much money and on what measures should the US expend to enforce 3 as no enforcement action is required in 1 and 2.
Some point to the bible talking about how Abraham and Jesus and others were foreigners at some point in time. They speak of various scriptures that talk about foreigners. Many, if not all, do so rightfully to speak for proper treatment of people seeking to come to this country.
The bible certainly speaks about proper treatment of foreigners (e.g., Exodus 12:49) and gives examples of people (e.g., Abraham and Jesus) being able to go to another land as a foreigner. One should note however that these seem to be under open border times and conditions. Abraham’s journey was similar to the founders of this nation as it was seemingly under open border conditions (Genesis 12:1-10; 13:1-4). Jesus parents went to escape persecution, that is for political asylum reasons (Matthew 2:13-14).
Some point to the founders and early citizens of this country citing the fact that they were immigrants. But as I understand it the nation then operated under option 1 involving open borders. I don’t think we have ever operated under option 2.
The current US policy is option 3 involving closed borders as it has been for many years.
Under President Trump the current questions are should a wall be built, how much money should be used, and will the wall be effective?
President Trump gave a speech to the public aimed at making a case to the public for building the wall. A full transcript of the speech may be found at politco.com. A fact sheet and video on the speech may be found at whitehouse.gov.
As I said this controversy over US Immigration laws and enforcement has been going on for many years.
I am not an expert on immigration issues, laws, and reasonable enforcement costs. But I do believe in a closed border for our nation. Does anyone want to go back to operating under open borders? I sure do not. Whether or not “a wall” should be erected I don’t know.
I do believe that if someone enters our country they should have pre-approval or be able to prove they have arrived under emergency conditions as defined in a fair and reasonable immigration law set by Congress. I believe they should give no indication they are coming to harm American citizens or this nation in any way. This applies regardless of where they come from or their race, nationality, or religion. If someone who enters illegally and is later apprehended then they should be sent back from whence they came unless they can show an emergency condition as defined above exists at the time of apprehension. Children who entered illegally and are later apprehended should be handled on a case by case basis. Anyone actively harboring adults or children or otherwise protecting them from apprehension should be penalized in some manner. Any business hiring known illegals should also be penalized in some manner.
I do believe children accompanying parents ought to be kept with non-abusive parents and have the same disposition as their parents. Children coming without parents or with abusive parents should be handled on a case by case basis.
I don’t think the government should ever be shutdown by either party and by any President. We elect them to demonstrate more care about the citizens day to day livelihood than that. Unfortunately both parties and more than one President have used the shutdown approach.
For info on 2018 US Immigration Zero Tolerance Policy click here.
Scriptures that speak to the issue of foreigners:
Genesis 3:22-24 – Every authority has the right to force disobedient persons out of that authorities territory as God did to Adam and Eve.
Genesis 12:1-10; 13:1-4; 23:4 – Abraham’s journey as a foreigner.
Genesis 37:28 – Joseph’s brothers sell him and he is taken to Egypt.
Genesis 46:1-7 – Jacob/Israel goes to Egypt at Joseph request.
Exodus 1:8-14 – Egyptians enslave the Israelites after the Egyptians die who honored Joseph and his people.
Exodus 12:49; 22:21; Leviticus 24:22 – One Law For Native Born and Foreigners.
Exodus 23:9-12; Leviticus 19:33-34; 24:22; Deuteronomy 24:17-18; 27:19 – Justice for the foreigner.
Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22; Deuteronomy 10:18-19; 24:19-22; Matthew 25:31-46; James 1:27 – Provisions for foreigners and orphans (Food, Clothing, etc.).
Numbers 9:14; 15:13-16 – Same Religious Observances for the Converted Foreigner.
Deuteronomy 1:16-17; 24:14-15; Jeremiah 7:5-7; 22:1-5; Zechariah 7:8-10; Malachi 3:5 – Equitable Justice and Wages for the Foreigner and Native Born.
1 Chronicles 22:1-4; 2 Chronicles 2:17-19 – Census and Work of the Foreigner Including in Building the House of God.
Psalm 146:9 – The Lord Cares for the Foreigner Also.
Isaiah 16:4 – Refuge for the Outcast.
Ezekiel 47:21-22 – Land and Inheritance and Citizenship for the Foreigner Especially Those Who Birth Children While in the Land.
Romans 13:1-7 – Foreigners and Native Born Subject to Righteous Laws of the Land.
Hebrews 13:1-2; James 2:1-9 – Hospitality.
