In plain language, the Bible is very clear: people who come from another country are still people made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). They should not be hated, abused, hunted, or treated like they have no worth. No one should be shot dead simply for seeking safety, work, shelter, or a better life.
God told His people not to mistreat foreigners living among them: “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner” (Exodus 22:21). He also said to treat the foreigner like the native-born and to love them as yourself (Leviticus 19:33–34). That means immigrants should be treated with fairness, dignity, and basic human compassion—not suspicion, cruelty, or violence.
God also reminded Israel that they once knew what it felt like to be strangers in another land (Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 10:19). That reminder matters today. If we remember our own family stories, struggles, or times when we needed mercy, it should make us slower to condemn and quicker to help.
Jesus carried the same message forward. He said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35). In other words, how we treat vulnerable people says something about how seriously we take our faith. Welcoming the stranger does not mean every country has no laws; it means laws should be enforced with humanity, justice, and respect for life.
So when we talk about immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, or anyone crossing borders, we should begin with this truth: their lives matter to God. Scripture says God “watches over the foreigner” and upholds the vulnerable (Psalm 146:9). They are not invaders to be destroyed. They are neighbors to be treated justly. They are families, workers, children, elders, and human beings with stories.
God’s instruction is simple enough for all of us to understand: do not oppress the foreigner, do not mistreat the stranger, love your neighbor, protect the vulnerable, and never forget mercy (Zechariah 7:10; Luke 10:27; Hebrews 13:2). A nation can have borders and still have a conscience. A society can value safety and still refuse cruelty. And people of faith should be among the loudest voices saying: every human life is sacred.
Bible references: Genesis 1:27; Exodus 22:21; Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:33–34; Deuteronomy 10:18–19; Psalm 146:9; Zechariah 7:10; Matthew 25:35; Luke 10:27; Hebrews 13:2.
Minister A Francine Green I July 2026