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Illegal immigrants, a Biblical view 

A bible study on illegal immigration but first a few important words

These words are important, biblical names of distinction that God makes relative to people in a given country. For an example, an Israelite citizen is referred to as a countryman (ach) in Scripture, whereas a legal immigrant is referred to as a sojourner (ger) or toshab, and a foreigner is called an illegal (nokri) or zar. 

I will keep to using Israel as an example

A sojourner (sometimes translated as stranger) was a person who entered Israel and followed legal procedures to obtain recognized standing as a resident alien. Israel treated illegal immigrants differently.  Illegal immigrants should  not expect these same  privileges from the state  whose laws they disregard  by virtue of their  undocumented status. 

These standard categories of one’s standing in a given nation, and the differentiation between citizens, immigrants, and foreigners are representative of the will of God. In fact, these categorizations have been the distinctions in the mind  of God ever since He  scattered the people into  different nations (Babylon)  in Genesis 11.
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It is critically important for Public Servants to understand and apply the aforementioned biblical precepts relative to the formation of immigration laws because Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-14 imply that in God’s mind, in His economy for creating nations and governments, He intends for the leaders of a nation to protect the citizens of the nation.
Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Here is Paul, a citizen of the Roman Empire, is addressing believers who are citizens of the Roman Empire living in the capital city of Rome. Not only does he state here the need for citizens to abide by the rule of law, which includes immigration law, but in addition, he implies what the motive should be behind
the legislators’ (ministers (dia onia), meaning “servants”)  lawmaking: to look out for  the welfare of citizens.

That protection should deter a myriad of intrusions by illegals: weapons of destruction, disease, property and job theft, the importation of illegal drugs, and the like, which could result from illegals who have never pledged their allegiance to the nation and its laws, but rather have broken the laws of the land by entering the country illegally. 

It need be especially underscored that an advocate of immigration restriction is not necessarily a racist. Policies preventing illegal immigration should stem from  biblical motives of ensuring  the general welfare of the  nation versus denying a  would-be immigrant the  potential for a better way of  life. To procedurallyexclude foreign individuals  who might be  criminals,  traitors, or  terrorists, or who  possess  communicable  diseases is  not racist in the  least! It is  good stewardship  to  protect the citizens of a  nation who have  unmistakably pledged their  allegiance to that nation and  their fellow citizens!!  Holding to a biblical  theology on immigration in  no way implies that one is  necessarily a racist!!!

Such leniencies, as evidenced by current American immigration policies and eventually bankrupt the treasury. This happens when non-citizens are the recipients of endless entitlement grants, health benefits, employment insurance, education scholarships, etc. etc. all given to those who have never pledged allegiance to the flag that they willingly take from!! A nation with overly lenient immigration policies will always end up  insolvent. It’s difficult to manifest compassion when you are bankrupt yourself. 

From Romans 13:4, Paul states under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, for it (government) does not bear the sword for nothing. Governments are to seek the welfare of their people by punishing evildoers (1 Peter 2:13- 14). People who are illegals are a threat to the welfare of those who are citizens. It is out of an inherent desire imbued by their Designer, that governments want to protect their citizens as a mother does her child and if they don’t, they should. In terms of immigration, for a government to be pleasing to God and receive His blessing, it has no option

but to protect its citizens from illegal immigration per Romans 13:4 and 1 Peter 2:13-14. It must always protect its borders and punish those who enter illegally. Any governmental response that is less than this violates God’s clearly revealed intention for government and invites chaos (as we now are seeing on our southern borders). 

As far as families of illegal immigrants being seperated, that has been going on since President Theodore Roosevelt became President. President Trump did not start the practice but has been blamed unfairly for families being separated.