What Should Churches and Christians Do About Illegal Immigration and ICE Deportations?
As Christians, we are called to live by God’s Word, not by emotions or political ideologies. When it comes to the issue of illegal immigration and ICE deportations, many churches and believers struggle with what the “Christian response” should be. Some argue that we should resist the government and shelter illegal immigrants, while others say we should do nothing at all. But what does Scripture actually say?
Obeying the Law is a Biblical Command
The Bible is clear: God establishes governing authorities, and as Christians, we are to submit to the law unless it forces us to sin. Romans 13:1-7 states:
“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 means that immigration laws are not simply political policies—they are part of the legal system God has allowed to be in place. The same principle is repeated in 1 Peter 2:13-17, where we are commanded to submit to earthly rulers for the Lord’s sake. If a person enters a country illegally, they are breaking the law, and as Christians, we cannot encourage or enable lawbreaking while also claiming to follow Christ.
Some may argue that civil disobedience is justified in this situation, but the Bible only supports disobedience when the government commands us to violate God’s law (Acts 5:29). Immigration laws do not force anyone to sin; they exist to maintain order, just like laws against theft or fraud. If we do not get to pick and choose which laws to follow, why would immigration law be any different?
Loving Foreigners Does Not Mean Encouraging Lawbreaking
Some use Leviticus 19:33-34 to argue that we should ignore immigration laws and welcome all people, regardless of legal status:
“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”
While this is a powerful reminder that we should treat all people with dignity and kindness, it does not mean that laws should be ignored. There is a difference between showing love and enabling lawlessness. If a person commits a crime, we can still show them compassion, but that doesn’t mean we shield them from the legal consequences of their actions.
Similarly, Matthew 25:35 (“I was a stranger and you invited me in…”) is often misapplied in this discussion. Jesus was speaking about helping those in need, but He was not advocating for ignoring laws. Providing food, clothing, or ministry to immigrants is one thing; actively working against the law is another.
The Role of the Church is Spiritual, Not Political Activism
The church’s mission is to spread the Gospel and disciple believers—not to engage in political activism that undermines legal authorities. Nowhere in Scripture do we see the early church defying immigration laws or hiding people from government authorities. What we do see is the church meeting spiritual and physical needs while respecting the laws of the land.
If someone is in the country illegally, the loving and biblical response is to help them get right with the law—not to encourage them to remain in violation of it. This could mean guiding them toward legal pathways, assisting them in voluntary departure, or supporting lawful efforts to address immigration challenges.
What Should Churches and Christians Do?
- Submit to the law – Unless the government commands us to sin, we are called to obey the law, including immigration laws (Romans 13:1-7).
- Show kindness without compromising truth – We should treat immigrants with love and dignity while also upholding what is right (Leviticus 19:33-34).
- Do not obstruct lawful authorities – Resisting ICE or attempting to hide illegal immigrants from enforcement actions is not biblical. The church should not be a place of lawlessness.
- Offer legal and spiritual guidance – Instead of breaking the law, churches can provide resources to help immigrants navigate legal options while also ministering to their spiritual needs.
- Keep the focus on Christ – Our mission is to preach the Gospel, not to engage in political resistance that opposes the rule of law.
Conclusion
Christians are called to live by truth, obedience, and love. It is not loving to encourage people to remain in an illegal situation, nor is it biblical to defy the governing authorities that God has put in place. True compassion does not mean ignoring the law; it means helping people live in righteousness—both spiritually and legally.
The church must stand firm in both justice and mercy—but justice cannot be ignored in the name of misguided compassion. We should uphold God’s commands above all, and in doing so, we will remain faithful to both the law of the land and the law of God.
