What does the Bible say about the deportation of illegal immigrants?

An illegal immigrant or illegal alien is someone present in a country despite laws forbidding him from entering or remaining there. Illegal immigration is the national version of trespassing: to enter or remain in a location without permission and in violation of the law. Deportation is the forcible removal from a country. Being deported is no minor consequence, even if it merely means going back to the spot where one first crossed the border. The intersection of law, immigration, and deportation has become increasingly controversial in the early years of the twenty-first century in the United States.

The Bible refers to foreigners and travelers but doesn’t specifically speak of illegal immigrants. Navigating the balance of law-and-order versus compassion is not always easy. Yet Christians are called to respect both: law enforcement and compassion are not contradictory. Governments have good and right reasons to enforce immigration laws. Specific political solutions are subject to debate. Believers can counter perceived injustice through peaceful actions such as voting, protesting, speaking, and petitioning. But assault, vandalism, rioting, attacking law enforcement, and other forms of violence are entirely unjustified, and believers should have nothing to do with such extremes.

Important questions require careful phrasing. Asking, “Should illegal immigrants be deported” is like asking, “Should I put lawbreakers in jail?” Both questions are extremely broad. Each person has individual circumstances, and U.S. law is complicated. For example, statutory law differentiates between improper entry (a crime) and unlawful presence (a civil violation). It separates aliens who are “inadmissible” from those who are “removable.” Plus, there are considerations of due process, criminality, and being a public charge. The law allows for expedited deportation under certain circumstances; other cases are typically handled on an individual, case-by-case basis. A biblical approach to illegal immigration must consider all of this as well as the fact that both sides of any political issue may have valid reasons for their perspective.

Untangling complex issues should begin by noting objective truths. First, laws exist for a reason. The label illegal immigration is used to discuss a violation of established law. Euphemisms and bickering over the nuances of legal terms can’t change reality (Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 2:14). Calling drug dealers “undocumented pharmacists” doesn’t change what they do. “Unauthorized shopping” is still stealing. Rule of law requires a government to enforce its statutes (Romans 13:4).

Second, every immigrant, illegal or otherwise, is a unique image-bearer of God (Genesis 1:27). There are no exceptions to human exceptionalism (Psalm 139:14–16; Revelation 7:9). But human laws are necessarily open-ended. Broad legal codes cover situations broadly. This is why no human rule is above scrutiny. Judges should use judgment. The main character of Les Misérables is sentenced to five years of hard labor for stealing bread for his sister’s starving children. Fourteen additional years are added to his sentence for various escape attempts. The reader of that novel appreciates the injustice and cruelty of that character’s treatment.

A third objective truth is that every nation regulates its borders. Open borders are only “open” because all territories involved agree they should be open. Some countries’ immigration laws are stricter than others. Some are objective; others explicitly target religions, races, or ethnicities. Most countries’ laws offer easier entry for those under persecution. Penalties for violating immigration laws can be especially severe in closed-off nations. But the concept of border control is neither new nor extreme.

The Bible calls on believers to care for the disadvantaged and vulnerable—the widows, orphans, and the poor. Scripture says the same of “foreigners” and “sojourners,” which would correspond to vulnerable immigrants. Scripture forbids their abuse and mistreatment (Exodus 22:21; 23:9; Leviticus 19:33; Deuteronomy 24:17). The Bible commands equal protections under law (Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 15:15–16). Those who mistreat foreigners and sojourners are condemned (Psalm 94:3–6; Ezekiel 22:7, Malachi 3:5). Race and ethnicity should not be a factor (see Galatians 3:28).

Christians can disagree on when deportation is a reasonable penalty and how the government should handle border enforcement. Those disagreements should be handled with grace. Extremes and thoughtless views should be rejected in favor of speaking truth in love (Ephesians 4:5) through an informed and humble attitude (Proverbs 18:17; Romans 14:19).

Deporting a person who is in the country illegally is a biblically valid response. Claiming that every deportation is wrong is contrary to the principles of Scripture. Compassion does not require a nation to reward lawbreaking. However, neither does the Bible say that deporting all illegal immigrants is good governance. Nor does it imply that every tactic is justified to enforce immigration laws. The Word of God gives no room for unreasonable, unbalanced, extreme, or prejudiced views on either side of the issue (Philippians 4:5).