Deportation is often treated as a political issue—but for Christians, it should also be a deeply moral and spiritual concern. At the heart of Christian teachings is a call to love, protect, and stand with the vulnerable. So when it comes to immigration and deportation, it’s worth asking: What would Jesus actually do?
1. Jesus Was a Refugee
Let’s start with one of the most overlooked facts in the Gospels: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph fled to Egypt to escape King
Herod’s violent regime. That makes the Holy Family refugees. They sought safety in a foreign land and were taken in. If modern-day immigration laws had been applied to them, they might have been turned away or deported.
The story of Jesus’ early life should remind Christians that seeking refuge is not a crime—it’s a human response to danger. And showing compassion to those fleeing violence and persecution is not optional for believers.
2. The Bible Is Clear on Strangers and Foreigners
Scripture consistently commands God’s people to welcome and care for immigrants, strangers, and foreigners:
- Leviticus 19:34 — “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”
- Matthew 25:35 — “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
- Hebrews 13:2 — “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
These verses aren’t ambiguous. They show a divine priority for compassion and inclusion, not exclusion.
3. Deportation Often Equals Harm
While the word “deportation” can sound clean and bureaucratic, the reality is often devastating. Families are torn apart. Children are left behind. People are sent back to environments plagued by violence, poverty, or political instability.
If Christians are called to protect the vulnerable, then supporting harsh or indiscriminate deportation policies goes against the very heart of that calling. It’s not just about enforcing the law—it’s about asking whether those laws uphold human dignity.
4. Laws vs. Love
Yes, every country has the right to enforce its borders. But Christians are called to a higher standard. Jesus often challenged the laws of His time when they conflicted with compassion. He healed on the Sabbath, touched the “unclean,” and forgave sinners against religious norms.
Legal doesn’t always mean moral. And when laws cause harm to innocent people, Christians should feel compelled to speak up.
5. The Good Samaritan Still Speaks
In Luke 10, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan—a man who goes out of his way to help a stranger who had been beaten and left for dead. The Samaritan crosses cultural, political, and religious boundaries to offer aid.
Jesus ends the story with a simple command: “Go and do likewise.” That command doesn’t come with an exception clause for immigration status.
So, How Should Christians Feel?
Uncomfortable. Compassionate. Troubled by policies that hurt families and individuals. Inspired to advocate for more just and humane immigration systems.
Not every Christian will agree on every detail of immigration reform. But if someone claims to follow Jesus, they are called to love the stranger, protect the vulnerable, and pursue justice—even when it’s inconvenient.
Because at the end of the day, Christianity isn’t about building walls. It’s about breaking them down in the name of love.
