Resident Aliens...

Election cycles are always interesting-sometimes disgusting, often inspiring, but always interesting. One topic that has raged on Capitol Hill and will continue to get attention is immigration. I got a number of e-mails attempting to use immigrants (illegal and other) as a scapegoat for many of the country's ills and xenophobia as a reason to vote for one person over another. Of course, this simply fuels the fire of division. I read an editorial in the "Christian Century" magazine on the subject of immigration a few years back. I liked it so much I saved it. As this topic rages on Capitol Hill and throughout this country it is interesting to read an approach to the subject that uses Christian Salvation History as the entry point to the debate. I certainly do not advocate an open border immigration policy. I do, however, feel we need to re-evaluate what we are currently doing and our views toward those who live and work in this country who are not citizens. We need a responsible policy. We need to give serious thought to approaching to issue in new ways. Below you will find the closing paragraph - read it through the lens of faith and it may open your eyes to a new vision of this controversial topic - I know it did mine.

"Jews and Christians share this scripture: "You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt" (Exod. 22:21). Scripture says that God's people are to regard sojourners not with fear, indifference or loathing, but with love and respect. Movements to criminalize millions of individuals, break up families and destabilize industries is bad enough. The notion that the alien among us is anything other than beloved elicits some of scripture's strongest condemnations: "Cursed be anyone who deprives the alien, the orphan, and the widow of justice.' All the people shall say, 'Amen!'" (Deut. 27:19).