The Bible addresses immigration primarily through principles concerning the treatment of foreigners and sojourners. In Leviticus 19:33-34, God commands Israel, “And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
God repeatedly reminds Israel of their own experience as foreigners and calls them to show compassion. Exodus 22:21 says, “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
However, while compassion and kindness are clear mandates, so is order. Foreigners in Israel were expected to obey the laws of the land. Numbers 15:15-16 states, “One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you… you and the stranger shall be the same before the Lord.”
Scripture teaches both the need for national integrity and personal compassion. The Church, especially, is called to love the outsider. Matthew 25:35 includes the stranger among those to whom kindness is shown: “I was a stranger and you took Me in.”
This topic must be approached with both truth and mercy, upholding law and justice while remembering that all people are made in God’s image and worthy of love and respect.
