Separating Children at the Border

           The topic of separating children from their parents at the border seems to occupy every headline on newspapers, news programs and social media these days.  For those of us who live in the border the complexity of immigration is nothing new.

           The enforcement of the "zero tolerance" policy by Attorney General Jeff Sessions this time around has raised the intensity of the political rhetoric on both sides.  Additionally, both sides of the debate, which seems to be very heated, are referencing their Christian faith and the Bible.

           The religious references to the debate on the immigration issue, particularly in reference to children, makes things interesting to say the least.  On the one side it makes it confusing for some people.  On the other side it provides an opportunity to re-examine our views from a biblical perspective.

           Whatever we may say about this issue, one thing is clear: this is a complex matter.  Anyone who tries to approach it simplistically (offering easy answers) is either ignorant or dishonest.  If it were that simple, it would have been solved by now.

           Allow me to offer (1) some biblical perspective on this issue, (2) a biblical position on the issue, (3) ways in which Christ followers should act in response, (4) other resources on the topic.  For an explanation on the role of the pastor and the church in discussing ethical and public policy issues see my blog post titled "Should we care?"

I.  Twenty points about what the Bible says about children, immigration and civil authority (the biblical references below are not exhaustive but representative):

1. All human beings are made in the image of God and thus should be treated with dignity and respect (Genesis 1:27)
2. God presents Himself as the defender of the fatherless, the widow and the foreigner (Deuteronomy 10:8; Psalm 146:9)
3. God reminds Israel that they are immigrants (sojourners) in the land (Exodus 6:4; Leviticus 25:23; 1 Chronicles 29:15) 
4. The Bible reminds believers that we are spiritual sojourners in this world (Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 1:17, 2:11)
5. God instructs Israel not to mistreat or oppress foreigners (Exodus 22:21, 23:9; Leviticus 19:23, 19:34; Deuteronomy 24:14, 17, 27:19; Ezekiel 22:6-8; Zecheriah 7:10)
6. God instructs Israel to love and to make provision for the poor and the foreigner (Leviticus 19:10, 23:22; Deuteronomy 10:19, 24:19-21)
7. Taking care of the stranger is a reflection of God's nature and of godliness (Leviticus 19:34, 24:22; Job 29:16, 31:32; Jeremiah 7:5-7; Malachi 3:5; Matthew 25:35-43)
8. Foreigners should be subject to the same laws and justice as those belonging to the nation of Israel (Numbers 15:15-16; Deuteronomy 1:16, 24:14, 17, 27:19; Malachi 3:5)
9. God expects us to both act justly and mercifully (Micah 6:8)
10. The New Testament tells us to welcome strangers (Matthew 25:35-43; Hebrews 13:2)
11. As a child Jesus and his family were refugees in Egypt as they escaped death in their own country (Matthew 2:13-14)
12. Jesus said the evidence of being true disciples is the way we treat "the least of these," which includes the hungry, the prisoner, the poor, the immigrant and the sick (Matthew 10:42; 25:31-46)
13. Jesus taught us to welcome little children (Matthew 19:13-14; Mark 9:37; Mark 10:13-14; Luke 18:15-16)
14. Jesus pronounced words of judgement for those who would make little ones stumble (Matthew 18:6, 10; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2)
15. The Good Samaritan is a model of neighborly love for all, including those who are strangers (Luke 10:25-37)
16. Jesus taught that while the law should be upheld the more important matters are justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23)
17. Christians should respect and be subject to government authorities, the laws of the land, and law enforcement officers (Romans 13:1-5)
18. When the law of the land and the law of God do not contradict each other we have a responsibility to obey both (Mark 12:13-17)
19. When the law of the land is contrary to God's law, God's people may have to either disobey the law or help to change the law (Exodus 1:17; Acts 4:19)
20. Christians should pray for governing authorities (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

II.  Three summary points for a biblical position on the issue

1. As God's people we should recognize the dignity and value of every human being.  Documentation, nationality or race is not what makes a child worthy of love, care and human dignity but the image of God in him or her.  God's nature and love compels us to protect and advocate for vulnerable children whether in the womb or at the border or anywhere else.  Our conviction about abortion remains the same regardless of whether it is legal or not.  Our concern for children at border should be based on God's love and word and not on what the laws or policies or enforcement of the same are at any given moment.
2. As citizens of the United States of America we should uphold the laws of our country.  The United States is a country of law and order.  Regardless of what political party is in office or what candidates are elected or authorities are appointed, we owe respect to them out of respect for God.  Governing authorities and law enforcement officers are God's agents who need our prayerful support.
3. There are occasions on which Christians should protest the policies of the state because they are contrary to God's laws.  For example, Christians were not required to submit to Hitler's genocide laws.  Baptists churches would have never been started had it not been for civil disobedience (Baptists churches were illegal in 17th century England*).  Many Christians were instrumental in the slavery abolition movement when slavery was legal in this country.  Many Christian protested against separate-but-equal laws during the civil rights era.  Today there are those who protest against abortion and against same-sex marriage based on their faith convictions even when it is the law of the land.  However, whenever we disagree we should do so with respect, civility, and in the spirit of Jesus Christ.

III.  Eight ways in which Christ-followers can respond

1. Advocate for all children and their well-being.  Generally children belong with their families.  We should encourage that.
2. Pray for the children who have been separated from their families so that their needs will be met and so that they can be reunited with those who love them soon.  (There will be a prayer vigil sponsored by a Baptist organization this Sunday at 5:00 PM in Brownsville, Texas: Facebook Event).
3. Seek ways to minister to the human needs of these children and their families.  At this point we have sought avenues for doing so but have not found many.  We know first hand that our Baptist entities who have government contracts to care for these children are doing their best to care for their basic needs.  We also know that the Respite Center at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McAllen continues to do good work although the time families spend there is very brief.  We know that our Texas Baptists' River Ministry is ministering to Central American immigrant families on both sides of the border.  (See their newsletter requesting support for this work).
4. Pray for border patrol agents, many of which are members of our church.  They have a job to do but they are often overwhelmed with the needs, the media pressure, and the danger they face.  Many of the border patrol agents who are believers comply with the law and at the same time they treat immigrants with dignity and respect.  Pray for strength and peace as they see and deal with very difficult cases each day.
5. Pray for our legislators and our administration in Washington D.C. so that they will do the right thing.
6. Use your vote and voice to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that will value border security but not ignore mercy and justice.
7. Pray against the forces of evil that cause this kind of crisis including human trafficking, violence, drug abuse, and corruption.  
8. Support Christian ministries and government policies that bring shalom to other countries so that families can live peacefully in their own countries, so that their children have opportunities to flourish, and so that economic disparity disappears.

IV.  Seven other resources on the topic

1. Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission Web Page
2. Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (SBC) Web Page
3. This week's Baptist Standard's article on the topic
4. This week's Christianity Today's editorial on the topic
5. Dr. Albert Reyes' (Buckner) piece in the Dallas Morning News
6. Dr. Jim Denison's (Denison Forum) article this week
7. Ed Stetzer's article on the topic last week

V.  An evangelical resource on immigration in general:

     The Evangelical Immigration Table


*Because of religious persecution, Baptists in the 17th century migrated to Holland and to America.  The Baptist heritage consists of persecution by the state for religious convictions and migration to new lands.  They were welcomed in some places and not in others.