Should we allow immigrants into our country?

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NothingIsImpossible

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The whole population other than on the reservations are illegal immigrants.
Eh, common response. But inaccurate. Though with that said america was created and this their country/land no longer exists as it did before. Which was common through pretty much all of history. Land grabs, wars over land...etc.
 
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Citizen of the Kingdom

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Eh, common response. But inaccurate. Though with that said america was created and this their country/land no longer exists as it did before. Which was common through pretty much all of history. Land grabs, wars over land...etc.
Manifest destiny ....
 
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skahler

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Is this a Christian thing to do or not?

The simple answer comes down to a mathematical one, once all variables are taken into account. After all is said and done - weighing out benefit vs. resource, vs. risk of political pressure, war, etc. from being overtaken, it's just math in the end.

We can only do so much. We're not Jesus, we're human - and humans have a net product that they can produce on a daily basis, all while paying enough attention to their own families.

In general, this number of immigrants we can accept while maintaining stability in our own lives is well-calculated by the people in charge.

Personally, I believe a rigorous vetting process should be the utmost in importance. People should not just get in because they feel like it, or just kind of want to. They need to, and should have very good reason to be here, beside the prospect of "good opportunity" and so forth.

Sort of like getting a job, etc.
 
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compassion 4 humanity

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Is this a Christian thing to do or not?

The religious composition of our immigrant population should be 100% Christian. Muslims, atheists, and other non-Christians shouldn't be allowed to immigrate to the US. After all, America is a Christian majority nation, and it's best if we stay this way.
 
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AvgJoe

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Is this a Christian thing to do or not?

Immigrants that come here legally...yes. Immigrants that come here illegally...no.

Question: "How should a Christian respond to illegal aliens/illegal immigrants?"

Answer:
Illegal immigration has become a volatile issue, especially in the U.S. Many have raised their voices passionately in their condemnation of illegal immigration, while others defend it just as fervently. The issues raised by the presence of illegal immigrants have generated heated debate among politicians, educators, co-workers, families, and friends. Sadly enough, the church has been drawn into the fray over illegal aliens as well, with Christians on both sides seeking to justify their positions based on their own personal beliefs.

So, what does the Bible say about those who enter a country illegally? What should be the Christian response to illegal aliens or illegal immigrants and toward those who condone illegal immigration? The first consideration is the law of the land. Those who illegally enter any country violate that nation’s laws as well as the laws of God. Believers are torn between showing compassion and mercy to the illegal aliens who seek help and not wanting to violate God’s word.

Sadly, we have brothers and sisters in Christ fighting over the issue of illegal immigration when the Bible is quite clear on what the Christian response should be: “The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness” (Proverbs 15:9; see also 28:5; Psalm 5:4–5). When we condone criminal activity, we no longer “shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:15). The Bible makes it clear that those who violate laws are sinning, as are those who support or assist them in breaking the laws (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–14; Titus 3:1–2). This principle applies to illegal immigrants and those who condone their continued violation of the law.

Peter’s reference to “those who do wrong” in 1 Peter 2:14 refers to lawbreakers. These are to be punished by the governing authorities. In Romans 13 Paul says that the government is in the best position to judge wrongdoers and find solutions to the problem of lawlessness. Government has the divine authority to deal with illegal immigrants who refuse to comply with the laws of the land. Now, the government authorities may or may not exercise their legal and divine right to enforce the laws, but that doesn’t change the fact that the church should not knowingly support illegal activity. To aid and abet illegal aliens—people who cross borders illegally—is sin. Regardless of emotional appeals and mitigating circumstances, the initial act of coming into a country illegally is sin.

At the same time, as Christians, we have to separate our attitude toward the act of entering the country illegally from our attitude toward illegal immigrants themselves. Illegal aliens are individuals for whom Jesus died. The first obligation of a Christian is to express Christlikeness in all our thoughts, words, and deeds (Romans 8:29). There is no room for hatred toward illegal aliens who seek work, refuge from danger and persecution, or a better life for themselves and their families. Christian compassion must be shown toward those who would risk their lives in a dangerous attempt to cross a border. Acts of hatred or violence toward illegal immigrants are never to be tolerated by those who name the name of Christ.

www.gotquestions.org/illegal-aliens-immigrants.html
 
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GardenLady

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I don't support the idea of people breaking the law. But on the other hand, I find it very hard to be angry about desperate and vulnerable people who are fleeing conditions most of us could not imagine.

I do not think the stereotype of someone coming here illegally to take advantage of social programs is accurate for the great majority of immigrants. In fact, most immigrants work very hard. Companies have a hard time finding people to do landscaping in the hot sun, or people to clean offices at night, or pick tomatoes. Immigrants do most of those jobs because Americans won't do them at any price.

In the end, I turn to Matthew 15:35-40. Whatsoever you do to the least of these...
 
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I don't support the idea of people breaking the law. But on the other hand, I find it very hard to be angry about desperate and vulnerable people who are fleeing conditions most of us could not imagine.

I do not think the stereotype of someone coming here illegally to take advantage of social programs is accurate for the great majority of immigrants. In fact, most immigrants work very hard. Companies have a hard time finding people to do landscaping in the hot sun, or people to clean offices at night, or pick tomatoes. Immigrants do most of those jobs because Americans won't do them at any price.

In the end, I turn to Matthew 15:35-40. Whatsoever you do to the least of these...

Not true, many Americans are willing and work very hard, I have been there, I worked in construction for many many years in the blistering hot sun and freezing cold, rain, snow, all kinds of weather conditions. Three of the hardest working men I know are Americans, and I am not including myself among them.
 
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GardenLady

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@Apologetic_Warrior, there are certainly Americans who work hard. My husband, back in the day, also worked construction in the hot sun. But it is a fact that immigrants are doing work Americans do not want to do. This has become an issue in my region where crabbers on the Atlantic shore have historically hired legal immigrants on seasonal visas to pick crabmeat for market, but with the current cutbacks on visas cannot get enough people to do the work. Even with the high minimum wage in our state, they cannot get local residents to do the work. And if they pay $20/hour, the crabmeat will be so expensive that nobody will buy it. This same issue is being repeated around the country with other commodities.
 
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Oct 21, 2003
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@Apologetic_Warrior, there are certainly Americans who work hard. My husband, back in the day, also worked construction in the hot sun. But it is a fact that immigrants are doing work Americans do not want to do. This has become an issue in my region where crabbers on the Atlantic shore have historically hired legal immigrants on seasonal visas to pick crabmeat for market, but with the current cutbacks on visas cannot get enough people to do the work. Even with the high minimum wage in our state, they cannot get local residents to do the work. And if they pay $20/hour, the crabmeat will be so expensive that nobody will buy it. This same issue is being repeated around the country with other commodities.

There is a problem with making generalizations as: "But it is a fact that immigrants are doing work Americans do not want to do." Willing, want, and need. Countless Americans work at jobs they do not want, but rather need to, so are willing to in order to make ends meet.

I do think it is long long overdue for minimum wage to be increased to a livable income. But this would only entice many employers to hire illegals, because they can pay them less than the minimum under the counter to get the same work done. Of course those illegals will tend to work hard, because they want to establish themselves and are desperate. Honestly it's not even fair to illegals if we look at the situation from a humane what's fair is fair perspective.
 
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GardenLady

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Chop down all the trees, Morse86? Humans have already cut down about 85% of the forests on the planet. Trees are the lungs of the earth, absorbing carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) and releasing oxygen. We need to plant trees, not chop them down.
 
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grasping the after wind

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We should allow immigrants but deport invaders aka illegal aliens aka undocumented workers or aka whatever other euphemism one wishes to call them. Just as I allow guests in my house but not trespassers that break in without my permission. As for the Christian angle. AFAIK the US is not a theocracy so what the US allows cannot be driven by what only Christians believe. Also AFAIK Christians are to welcome guests and strangers but I see nothing in the Bible that says Christians should welcome intruders or encourage breaking of laws.
 
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StevenMerten

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Legal Immigrants, yes! Illegal Immigrants, No! Strongly defend immigration to America as an equal opportunity for all races and nations. America needs immigrants to grow strong.

Oh! And hunt down and deport all those Hollywood stars who swore they were leaving America if Trump became president.
 
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Albion

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Is this a Christian thing to do or not?
We have always let immigrants into our country, and very few people think we should refuse to let anyone new enter, so this doesn't seem like a serious question to ask.
 
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samwise gamgee

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Christians have a reason for encouraging immigration that others do not. We have been commanded to preach the gospel to the whole world. When immigrants come to our country we can reach them more easily than we could if they had remained in their home country. Most immigrants maintain some connection with their former home so if they are converted they can share the gospel with their friends and relatives who have remained at home. We need to always keep in mind that we are citizens of Heaven first and that is the place our primary loyalty lies. I have written a post on this subject in my blog.

Immigration and evangelism
 
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