A Biblical Approach to Immigration: Four Principles

Immigration has become one of the most sensitive issues in the current cultural moment, and that may be why many pastors hesitate to address it directly. But the recent disruption of the Cities Church worship service in Minneapolis has brought the conversation right into the aisles. Rather than reacting out of fear or frustration, this moment gives conservative evangelicals an opportunity to think biblically and speak with clarity. To that end, here are four principles that must shape a Christian view of immigration.

One: All humans are created in the image of God.

Genesis 1:27 is the cornerstone of a biblical understanding of human identity.

God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

Genesis 9:6 and James 3:9 leave no doubt that the image of God has practical implications for legal and personal ethics. Every human, regardless of ethnicity, country of origin, immigration status, or criminal record, bears the image of God and is worthy of dignity and respect.

That includes legal immigrants, illegal immigrants, protesters, politicians, ICE agents, and social media opponents. To treat any human as less than an image bearer of God is sinful. To hold bitterness in your heart toward an image bearer of God is sinful. Allowing the rage-baiting of modern news outlets to produce unrighteous anger toward immigrants, protesters, politicians, or ICE officers is sinful. Keyboard hatred and rage toward family, friends, and social media “friends” is sinful.

Currently, ICE agents are being accused of misconduct and even crimes against humanity. In August of 2025, Senator John Ossoff released a report detailing 500 allegations of abuse and misconduct in immigration detention centers. The Department of Homeland Security denied the accusations. How should Christians react to reports of abuse and misconduct? We should demand that any federal agent or officer involved in the abuse of human beings, regardless of immigration status, be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

We must also, however, process this information in the context of the current political climate. One end of the political spectrum is crying foul. The other end of the political spectrum says, “There’s nothing to see here.” We are reliant on our elected officials to press the matter if these accusations are credible. So far, only a few Senators have supported the findings of John Ossoff’s report. Others have denied its credibility. That doesn’t mean they aren’t credible. It simply means that we are stuck trying to separate truth from political posturing. As we await the truth, we can state emphatically that all humans are created in the image of God, and our laws and policies must demonstrate that truth.

Further, we must also guard our hearts against dehumanizing illegal immigrants, protesters, or ICE agents. Most of us have no direct role in immigration policy, and we have no avenue through which we can properly investigate allegations of abuse. But we all have a daily opportunity to reject bitterness and hatred in our own hearts.

Two: Nations have the right and responsibility to uphold the rule of law.

Romans 13:1-7 confirms the government's responsibility to uphold the rule of law. Every ruler, from the despots to the democratically elected, is placed in power by the hand of God. Those under the authority of government are commanded to “be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). Governments operate under a God-given mandate to “bear the sword” and carry out “God’s wrath on the evil doer” (Romans 13:4).

Immigrants, protesters, ICE agents, and politicians are made in the image of God, but so are shoplifters, bank robbers, murderers, and every other criminal. Being made in the image of God doesn’t free people from the consequences of criminal actions.

Broadly speaking, there are three legal issues to consider: civil immigration violations, criminal immigration violations, and non-immigration-related crimes committed by non-citizens. According to US law, some immigration violations are civil, not criminal. For instance, overstaying a visa is a civil violation. On the other hand, crossing the border illegally is a criminal violation.

The Christian worldview affirms submission to legitimate civil authority (Romans 13:1), regardless of whether violations fall under civil or criminal categories. We must support the right of nations to establish, uphold, and prosecute violators of civil and criminal immigration law. We support the right of any nation to determine who it allows inside its borders and remove those who do not comply with either civil or criminal law. Furthermore, the biblical worldview supports the right and responsibility of nations to protect their citizens from criminals who violate the law, regardless of their immigration status.

There’s another aspect to consider. Laws that are overly complicated or cumbersome make submission and obedience impossible. In Deuteronomy 30:11-14 describes God’s Law in this way:

For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, "Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?" But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. Deuteronomy 30:11-14

We’ve all been caught in a speed trap that was almost impossible to avoid. In many ways, current immigration laws are so complex that compliance is difficult. Christians should call on politicians and policymakers to reform immigration laws so they are clearer and more straightforward.

Three: God’s people are called to be compassionate toward sojourners.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, fifty-six passages call for justice and compassion toward sojourners. There are four main ideas expressed in the passages.

First, the foundation for Israel’s treatment of sojourners (strangers, aliens, foreigners) was their status in Egypt as sojourners. There are several passages that communicate that concept. Here’s an example:

You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. Exodus 22:24

Second, sojourners were often listed with widows and orphans as those who must not be deprived of justice. Like widows and orphans, sojourners were easier for the wicked to take advantage of, and rulers and judges might be tempted to side with more influential people. God commanded the nation to ensure they were treated equally in front of the law. Here are a few examples:

You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge. Deuteronomy 24:17

Do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow.

Jeremiah 22:3

He (God) executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you

were sojourners in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:18-19

Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. Deuteronomy 27:19

Third, sojourners were expected to obey the law in the same way that the people of Israel were to obey. In other words, they were not to be treated unjustly by rulers and judges, but they were also accountable to the laws of Israel.

You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 24:22

For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the LORD. Numbers 15:15

Fourth, sojourners were more susceptible to poverty and hunger, and the nation of Israel was to make provision for them. Property rights in ancient Israel were passed through male descendants. Like widows and orphans (the fatherless), sojourners had no property allotment and could therefore not produce crops. The Tribe of Levi (Levites) did not receive property allotment because they served as priests and servants of the Temple. Therefore, food provision was made for these special groups.

When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 24:19

At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do. Deuteronomy 24:28-29

New Testament

Under the New Covenant, the situation is vastly different, but God has not changed His heart for the sojourner. The church is not the nation of Israel living in the Promised Land under the Mosaic Covenant; rather, in the New Testament, Christians are portrayed as the sojourners.

Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:13-16

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11

As sojourners, we are called to extend hospitality to one another.

I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:13

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers. Hebrews 13:2

The context of these passages is important. Although Christians are to be kind to everyone, Matthew 25, Romans 12, and Hebrews 13 speak of hospitality extended to fellow Christians. Galatians 6:10 emphasizes the priority of Christians caring for other Christians.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

Nevertheless, Christians are called to extend love and care to strangers—even enemies.

You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:43-44 

James warns against taking advantage of those in compromised economic positions. Although the land allotment system no longer operated under Roman rule, landowners maintained a significant economic advantage over hired workers. It seems wealthy landowners sometimes withheld wages, knowing the hired workers had very little legal recourse.

Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. James 5:4

Furthermore, there is no reason to think the Old Testament principle of compassion toward sojourners has faded from God’s expectation of His people. That raises an important question: are 21^st-century immigrants the same as sojourners in Old Testament Israel?

They are not. So much has changed in the geopolitical situation over the last three millennia that a one-to-one comparison is inaccurate. Immigrants do, however, share many characteristics with Old Testament sojourners. Generally speaking, immigrants face increased economic hardships, they are more susceptible to the evil schemes of wicked people, and they are more easily deprived of justice in the legal system. Recognizing these realities is not a matter of political ideology; it is simple honesty about the vulnerabilities many immigrants face.

Serving the Immigrant in Front of Us

Serving people in need is not political. It is biblical and the longstanding pattern of the people of God. At our own expense, and often to our own peril, we serve those in need as we share the gospel and advance the Kingdom of God on earth. In the context of a local community and a local church, Christians ought to look for ways to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, and welcome the stranger regardless of immigration status. And for the record, we do.

In my experience, many faithful believers already engage in such ministry with humility and generosity. In my own denomination, SEND Relief serves immigrants and refugees in North America and around the world. From a personal standpoint, the Christian position is to serve the needy and share the gospel. We serve the person in front of us, immigrant or native, legal or illegal.

Illegal Immigration and Compassion

Christians ought to be against illegal immigration because it is, well, illegal. But there’s another reason, and it stems directly from compassion for sojourners. When illegal immigration is encouraged by poorly written laws, lack of enforcement, unprotected borders, or other government mechanisms, immigrants who pursue the illegal routes suffer.

For decades, organized criminal networks have dominated major migration routes through South and Central America, often resulting in severe exploitation and suffering for vulnerable migrants. Those in the US illegally are much more susceptible to human trafficking or workplace exploitation. Life in the shadows of culture breeds opportunity for wickedness and exploitation. Just as we call for the prosecution of any government official abusing immigrants, we must promote and vote for immigration policies that reduce opportunities for the exploitation of immigrants.

Four: God is sovereign over elections and the movement of people around the globe.

God’s sovereignty is one final principle that must inform a Christian view of immigration. It is easy to get caught up in strategies that might benefit our side of the political aisle. What might happen if immigration patterns change the population? How will political parties benefit from open borders or mass deportations? Will this legislation or that resettlement make the US more red, blue, or purple?

I have no doubt that politicians promote immigration patterns that increase their political power. That’s not new to the US, it’s not new to the 21^st century, and it’s not even new to the modern era. The book of Exodus records Pharaoh’s fear that the people of Israel might threaten his power.

Rather than losing sleep over political maneuvering, Christians can rest in the sovereignty of God. Instead of giving in to the fear and rage news industry, we can act with love and a sound mind. Instead of harboring hatred in our hearts toward immigrants, elected officials, ICE agents, or anyone else, we can allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in us.

God alone determines where each person and group of people will live according to His sovereign plan.

He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.

Acts 17:26

Trusting God’s sovereignty doesn’t mean we shouldn't vote our conscience or work for immigration policies that support the rule of law. It means that we can stay up to date on the issues, clearly articulate biblical principles, vote, and get back to work making disciples and serving those God brings in our path. The Lord is on His Throne, and He will accomplish His plan in His way and in His time.

At the end of the day, immigration is not merely a political issue—it is a reminder of our own story. We are the ones who live as strangers and exiles, awaiting the city whose architect and builder is God. Our ultimate hope does not rest in nations, borders, or laws, but in the Savior who will gather His people from every tribe and tongue into His everlasting kingdom. Because our citizenship is in heaven, we can engage this earthly conversation with humility, compassion, and confidence in the One who will lead His sojourning people home.