As a child of the diaspora, I have grown up in communities where stories of illegal and undocumented people were often told and discussed. In countries like the UK, which has long been home to economic migrants, conversations about migration—legal or otherwise—are familiar. Churches have prayed over these matters, often seeking divine intervention for undocumented individuals. But what does the Bible say about illegal immigration? Is there a clear scriptural stance, or is the issue too modern for biblical relevance?

Jesus and the Concept of “Undocumented”

One argument often raised is that the concept of illegal immigration is something Jesus would not have fully understood. The legal systems we have today didn’t exist in the same form during His time. However, understanding the framework of belonging or not belonging to a group might resonate with Him. The idea of being “undocumented” could be explained as determining whether someone belonged to a particular tribe—whether they were Jewish or not, for instance.

From the Gospels, we see that Jesus did interact with people outside the Jewish community, including Samaritans and non-Jews. His interactions with these individuals, like the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:7-26), suggest He didn’t place significant barriers between people based on nationality. In fact, His teachings often focused on breaking down societal divisions rather than reinforcing them. In this sense, one could argue that Jesus would likely have welcomed the “strangers” and “foreigners” among us with compassion and open arms.

Arguments Against Illegal Immigration

On the other hand, there are those who point to Scripture as supporting adherence to national laws. In Matthew 22:21, Jesus famously says, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,” implying that respecting the laws of the land is a duty. In Romans 13:1-7, Paul advises that governing authorities are established by God, and disobeying them is akin to disobeying God.

This view suggests that illegal immigration—by breaking a country’s laws—goes against biblical teachings on lawfulness. Additionally, some point to commands such as “Do not steal” and “Do not covet” (Exodus 20:15, 17), arguing that undocumented individuals, by entering a country illegally, may be unlawfully benefiting from resources, jobs, or services that belong to the citizens of that country.

Furthermore, the Bible contains several examples of God establishing borders. The Promised Land, for instance, was given specific boundaries (Numbers 34), and these boundaries were defended by King David from foreign invasion. There is also a notion that God divided humanity by language and region at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), establishing the idea that nations and borders were divinely ordained. Some Christians argue that national boundaries should therefore be respected as part of God’s natural order.

Even in the Garden of Eden, God placed boundaries and guarded them when Adam and Eve were expelled (Genesis 3:24), using angels to enforce His divine “no trespassing” sign. From this perspective, borders are to be respected, and crossing them illegally may be seen as contrary to God’s design.

The Responsibility to Care for the Stranger

While the argument for respecting national laws holds weight, Scripture also repeatedly instructs believers to show hospitality to strangers. Leviticus 19:33-34 commands, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”

This passage directly relates to the treatment of immigrants, legal or not, emphasising the duty to treat them with dignity and compassion. Deuteronomy 10:18-19 echoes this, stating that God “defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.”

It’s worth noting that, while Israel had laws regulating the treatment of foreigners, there was no concept of “illegal” immigrants in the sense we understand today. Foreigners were often allowed to glean leftover crops (Leviticus 19:9-10) but were not given rights to the land or full citizenship unless they assimilated into the community.

Boundaries and Order: Necessary but Not Final

One concern that arises when governance is not respected is the potential for chaos. The book of Judges is a prime example of the dangers of everyone “doing what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6, 21:25). A lack of order can lead to injustice, exploitation, and suffering for both the citizens and the undocumented.

However, balancing compassion and order is key. While borders and governance are essential for societal stability, they should not override our biblical mandate to care for those in need, especially those who may be vulnerable or marginalised.

Christian Responsibility if “Undocumented”

If you are a Christian and happen to be undocumented, your prayer should not be for God to help you avoid detection or exploit the system. Instead, you should make every effort—including in your prayers—to regularise your occupation and to legally contribute to civic life. Following the law while also seeking to remain compassionate towards others aligns with both biblical justice and mercy.

A Balanced Perspective

Illegal immigration presents a complex ethical issue for Christians, requiring both compassion and respect for the law. On the one hand, the Bible calls believers to follow the laws of the land and respect borders, as they are often seen as part of God’s design for nations. On the other hand, the consistent call throughout Scripture is to show mercy, care for the stranger, and love our neighbors as ourselves.

Christians are called to a higher law of love and hospitality, which doesn’t necessarily negate the importance of laws but calls us to advocate for justice, compassion, and reform where necessary. While national boundaries may serve an important function, the heart of God is always turned toward the marginalised, the foreigner, and the oppressed. Ultimately, any policy or stance on immigration should reflect this divine balance between justice and mercy.