Immigration: A Personal Response

When I begin to think about my own cultural landscape in regards to the issue of immigration I begin to realize why I have the opinions that I do about it. Living in Minnesota, I don’t necessarily feel the direct impacts on a daily basis that immigration brings. Even though Minneapolis is a hub for one of the largest Somali Muslim populations in the country, I don’t notice those ramifications everyday. With this being said, there are definitely other places in the United States that have greater consequences as they deal with a greater number of immigrants.

As I have spent time researching immigration, I have seen how divided many countries are on the topic including the United States. Before I began this study, I viewed immigration simply as an issue that split nations and therefore always viewed it as a negative thing that divides. After studying the effects of immigration on countries such as Germany and Poland, it has helped me understand different view points and challenged my thinking. Often times I think of immigrants as people who are really struggling and have a difficult life which is often true. I tend to think of them similar to homeless people. With this mindset, as I was studying the issue, it made me more aware of all the homeless people throughout the big cities of Europe. As I compared homelessness and immigrants, it made me more sensitive to the issue than I was before. With that said, the people that I talked to in Germany and Poland were more in favor of having more secure borders which is what I have always believed as well. The conversations I had were interesting in that these people think similarly to me. Nonetheless studying immigration and working with refugees has absolutely made me think deeper, have more of an open mind and more compassion towards people and families who are dealing with such difficult things.

Faith did not play a huge factor in either of my focus cultures as it related to immigration. However, 3 of the 4 people I interviewed did profess to be Christians, therefore, in a way faith was involved as I dug deeper into the issue with the interviews. Poland and Germany don’t necessarily claim to be Christian nations. Even though, in ways, America has drifted from its Christian foundation, we claim to be a Christian nation which sets our country apart from the two countries I studied. If this is the case, we as Americans ought to be called to a higher standard if we are claiming to represent Christian values. In the Old Testament in Leviticus 19:33-34 it says, “When a stranger soujourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” People may not necessarily interpret this Scripture to be talking directly about immigration but it sure seems like we have pretty clear directions on how we are to treat these people. With this said, I do not think this verse means that there should be no borders for countries and that everyone should be able to live wherever they want. I believe that evil exists and no nation should be foolish about letting anyone and everyone into their country.

America has always been considered and accepts itself as a nation of immigrants but globalization has been challenging this idea. According to data from the Census Bureau, immigrants and their U.S. born children account for approximately 27 percent of the U.S. population. In 2015, the United States gave legal permanent residency to over one million people. Most often these people are admitted residency to be reunited with their families. Other common reasons for legal residency are reasons for employment, refugee and diversity. Approximately 72 percent of American people consider immigration a good thing while 84 percent support a path to citizenship for these people (Immigration Debate). Immigration no doubt is changing the culture of the United States. It brings economic strength as well as demographic excitement. Immigration is a great thing, if it wasn’t for immigration America would not exist. The fact that so many people try to enter the United States proves what a great place America is.

Illegal immigration, however, is a different story. Over 10 million undocumented immigrants currently live in the United States. It is estimated that 700,000 new undocumented immigrants enter the U.S. every year. The infiltration of these people weaken national security. In this day in age, terrorism is on the rise which is a reason why America is much more careful of who they let into their country (Johnson).

I believe a Christian approach is possible to this issue of immigration. With my Christian approach, I support and am a strong advocate for strong borders and national security. Governments rule certain countries/regions throughout the world and are therefore responsible for a designated place. These countries only become countries by having borders which is why I believe that one of the most important jobs of a government is to protect its borders. If there are no borders, there is no reason to have a government. Romans 13:1 says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” This tells us that governments are not only necessary but are put into authority by God. Borders are put into place to protect the people within that country. This is a two-way street. Yes, it is important to care for those less fortunate but it is also important to care for those around you. Here in America it is important to protect the people that are here legally.

In conclusion, I am all for having immigrants come into the United States so they can create a better life for them and their family so long as they become documented and do it in a legal manner. It seems to me that many people are upset that the United States doesn’t open their borders to everyone and claim that they are discriminating against other races. The question that I would ask to these people is, “Do you lock your doors at night?” If so, what is the difference for America to secure their borders or any other country for that matter. As Ronald Reagan said, “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.”