"Just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me".
--Matthew 25:40
The United States is undergoing an identity crisis of sorts. A country founded by immigrants searching for a better life is now struggling with how it can respond to new waves of immigrants. Some want to build a fence and deploy troops to patrol the border. Others exploit immigrants as a cheap source of labor and a way to keep economic costs down. Lost in the discussion of how immigration affects us is why they come here in the first place. And to answer that question, immigration must be discussed for what it truly is, a means for escaping poverty.
Jesus speaks most tellingly about how we should respond to poverty in Matthew 25, where he describes the righteous as those who have ministered to others around them by feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, tending to the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and welcoming the stranger. It is in this spirit of compassion that we must approach the issue of immigration as well. Rather than concentrating on the negative effects that we perceive immigration having on us, we must shed this selfish focus that obscures the gut wrenching poverty in the countries where these immigrants come from and drives them to embark on epic journeys in search of a better life and a way out. We need to look deeper to find ways of being compassionate towards immigrants.
There are many different ideas in the political mix being discussed as possible to responses to what is popularly termed "illegal immigration." Some favor increased border patrols and fences. This is just more of the same, and current measures do not work. They do not deter people from trying to enter the U.S., and they often miss most people coming across the border. Others have suggested guest worker programs, paths to citizenship, and amnesty. But even this is only a half measure. While it does take a more compassionate approach in being more welcoming, it does not solve the underlying problem of poverty.
Ultimately the best way to get at the root of what causes immigration is to build up local economies and communities in economically poorer countries to alleviate some of the pressure to leave. This includes not only providing sustainable agriculture and local industries but encouraging the more educated who become doctors, scientists, lawyers, teachers, etc. to stay and help build their country up. The U.S. should do more to provide aid to build up local industries and provide fair wages so that the income gap between the U.S. and developing countries can be narrowed. To some extent, immigrant workers are already providing economic aid to their home countries on their own through remittances. It is common practice for a portion of each paycheck to be sent back to family to help them afford the things they need to survive. This redistribution of resources, through official or unofficial means, would help to reduce the desire to emigrate for economic reasons.
Short of a massive increase in investment in the developing world, for the time being immigrants will continue to flow into the U.S. regardless of what Washington tries to do. As long as there is a chance at a better life and escaping poverty, they will come. And we should welcome them with open arms. Christians should be prepared to respond to immigrants not as criminals or illegals but instead as the "least of these". In ministering to the least of these, we also minister to Christ and respond to his call to show compassion and to act with mercy.
Keith Swartzendruber
Peace Lens
is a periodic reflection on current events.
Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the Anabaptist Peace Center - Washington, DC
