Romans 13 and Immigration (by Dr. M. Daniel Carroll Rodas)
The United States prides itself on being a country of laws. There is the settled conviction that here citizens obey the laws of the land and that those who do not are duly punished according to the nature of the violation. Christians who oppose the presence of undocumented immigrants turn to Romans 13 to emphasize that these people are breaking local and national laws and that the appropriate penalties should be applied. This passage is a quandary, too, for some of those who are more sympathetic to the plight of immigrants. They are torn between the harshness and contradictions of the laws and this biblical mandate to submit to the authorities.
Several observations can help put this passage into proper perspective. To begin with, Christians must recognize that their agenda is set in the previous chapter of Paul's letter. Chapter 12 tells believers not to be molded by the "pattern of this world" (12:2). Their lives should be characterized by service to others, love, and compassion—even toward enemies (12:3-21).
The authorities, however, have a different purpose and a different way of doing things, and this is spelled out in Romans 13. Christians are called to respect the government, says the apostle, but this does not mean sanctifying everything that it might legislate or do. Citizens of the U.S. have the right to disagree with the government, and, motivated by their principles, Christians do this in multiple ways: at the ballot box, through publications, by organizing educational, legal, and civic organizations that defend other points of view, by participating in peaceful protests of many kinds for a host of causes, and the like. Each of these actions in its own way expresses reservations about the state of affairs and the things that the government is mandating. Immigration is an example of an area where many believers diverge from the goals and enforcement of current legislation.
What is more, the U.S. government itself admits that legislation on immigration must be changed. Leaders from across the political spectrum recognize that what is in place now is not working. Recent efforts to craft a comprehensive immigration policy are clear evidence of the need for new immigration laws.
Therefore, to point to Romans 13 and adherence to the law in debates on immigration, without nuance or biblical and historical depth, simply will not do. Christians should search all of the scriptures for guidance in evaluating the development of immigration policy and engaging its challenges. From that foundation, Christians can begin to move forward to the legal issues. In other words, discussion on legality cannot be limited just to questions about complying with current laws, laws that all know are impractical and will soon be replaced. If these laws are problematic—theologically, humanely, and pragmatically—and if all sides agree that reform is needful, the call to submit to the authorities in Romans 13 should be rethought in fresh and constructive ways. Respect for the nation's present laws can be coupled with and informed by the move toward a new set of laws. Ideally, laws should embody the best moral principles of a nation. Clearly, immigration legislation does not measure up.
But what of immigrants who are Christians? How do they respond to Romans 13? They know that they are violating the law by living and working here. But, they also have experienced personally the law's inequities. For example, the government turns a blind eye to many employers because the country needs cheap labor, but then it makes access to social services increasingly difficult for these same workers. Hispanic immigrant believers admire the efficiency of the legal system of the U.S. and want to contribute to society, even as they work for a better life. Many do their best to obey the laws in every area that does not threaten their jobs, homes, and children's education and welfare. Many desire to be model 'citizens' as part of their Christian duty and in order to gain the respect of the majority culture in which they live. All fervently want a fair legal resolution of the situation.
Where can we go from here? If one evaluates immigration law in the U.S. as confused and unfair, and if one believes that these laws do not square with the teaching of the Bible and the ethical demands of the heart of God - let alone the historic openness of this country to foreigners - then these Christians will not say, "What is it about 'illegal' that you don't understand?" Instead, they might declare with the apostles, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God" (Acts 4:19).
Before this statement raises all kinds of alarm, let me make it very clear that I am not advocating civil disobedience on a large scale, just as most Christians who have strong misgivings about undocumented immigrants are not lobbying for a massive national deportation operation to rid the country of one and all. It is a narrow understanding of the nature of law and the Christian's relationship to human government that must be questioned. We need to move ahead towards constructive change with Christian humility and charity, with respect for those placed in authority over us but especially with an eye to the higher calling of the people of God to be a blessing to the world.
Dr. M. Daniel Carroll Rodas is a distinguished professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary, and author of Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible (Baker Academic Books), from which this post is adapted.
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Comments
Dr. Rodas,
While I disagree with some of your assertions, I want to thank you for avoiding much of the rhetorical overkill that has surrounded this issue: in particular your recognizing that few Christians -- even among opponents of legalization/amnesty -- are calling for mass deportations.
I hope that the ensuing comments reflect your more reasoned and moderate voice.
Wolverine
Posted by: Wolverine | March 31, 2008 11:36 AM
I know this is only a side issue, but I was struck by something else in your first paragraph- the new revelation that we now have 1% of our population in prisons. Considering the large percentage of minorities within this population, this also strongly relates to social inequities- be it mistreatment of minorities under the law, or the high poverty rate that limits options. Our highly favored Three Strikes system increasingly forces people into long terms for minor offenses. But regardless of which side of the law you are on- right-wing anti-crime or a bleeding heart liberal - there is something deeply and tragically sick with a country that has had to incarcerate 1% of its citizens.
Posted by: Jedidiah Palosaari | March 31, 2008 12:41 PM
I'm not actually going to comment on immigration, but I do want to commend God's Politics for finally doing some good exegetical work and theologizing in this blog. I think the social-justice movement would gain a lot of traction with evangelical Christians if they would actually engage in Biblical and theological reflection on these issues. Too often GP comes across as the progressive political platform with a little God-talk to spice it up.
Lets hope some good theological reflection will continue!
Posted by: Matt K | March 31, 2008 1:48 PM
The above commentary is a good starting point for any discussion of U.S. immigration policy and what should be done about it.
There was a recent story in the local paper here where I live about the movement of illegal immigrants to escape greater enforcement efforts and the effects this movement has on the communities they leave. The article said about half the local population in a particular neighborhood up and left within a couple months. Some might say "good riddance" but there was a severe effect on the local economy and community. Stores and restaurants were empty, some going out of business completely. Streets and sidewalks that used to have people on them are empty, and houses and condos are vacant, leaving to them becoming havens for gangs or drug users. The illegal immigrants that have abided by the law since their immigration violation leave, leaving the neighborhood to those illegal immigrants and legal residents who don’t care about the law and are more interested in gangs and drugs.
Even without mass deportation there are serious effects of crack-downs on illegal immigration. I'm not saying this example ends the story (I'm sure the community will pick back up at some point), but there are costs we all need to be reminded of regardless of what kinds of policies our country adopts.
Posted by: Eric | March 31, 2008 1:54 PM
I have another issue related to immigration, which I haven't resolved in my own head.
One result of immigration into the US and Canada is that there is now a significantly larger population living at North American levels of resource-consumption and waste generation. If immigrants expect to (or are expected to, or have no choice but to) live like North Americans, then they increase the rate at which we speed towards global ecological disaster.
I don't have a practical immediate answer to this - it's just one of those awkward little facts that I think needs to be thought about...
Meurig
Posted by: meurig | March 31, 2008 2:54 PM
Dr. Rodas is not entirely correct when he writes that it is against the law to simply be present in the United States without proper immigration status. I believe that it is important to understand the laws that the undocumented break. Entry without inspection is the most common offense, meaning that one enters the USA not through an official point of entry, but through the desert or the Rio Grande. This is a misdemeanor, perhaps comparable to a speeding ticket. We all have broken laws and when we do, we pay a fair fine and that is that. But an immigrant is branded "illegal" for the rest of his or her life. Not fair, not just! And of course while people of faith must look at Romans, these lines from our Scriptures are clearly trumped by the hundreds if not thousands of commands that we have to help the needy, the poor, the stranger....
Posted by: West Cosgrove | March 31, 2008 3:07 PM
I have one question that I would like a answer to at this time. How many legal and illegal immigrants can the United States support? If all of the people could get into the country that wants to, what would happen to our country and it!s citizens ?
Posted by: Wayne E. France | March 31, 2008 7:11 PM
A very interesting and thought-provoking article. Nice to see a controversial issue discussed in a calm manner and in the light of Scripture.
Sojo, please give us more like this.
Posted by: carl copas | March 31, 2008 9:05 PM
I feel the need to comment as both an attorney specializing in immigraiton and as a person of faith. The court proceedings for unauthorized aliens (an "alien" is anyone not a citizen, including lawful residents) are civil proceedings and not criminal proceedings, and they have always been civil proceedings; that is why a legal resident can be "removed" (the legal term for deported) for a criminal offense that occurred back in the 1970s or 1980s even after all fines have been paid and all jail terms completed. Most unauthorized aliens live in "mixed" families, that is, because of the law, unless the applications were filed for them before 4/30/2001 they cannot become residents here no matter if they are married to citizens, have children, etc. (unless they entered with a visa)AND they cannot get their residence by "waiting in line" abroad because they have a bar of 10 years if they have been in the U.S. w/o authorization for more than 365 days. So they get it coming and going.
As a person of faith, I wonder why anyone wants to consign children born here back to the country of their parents that they left because they were starving and had no work. As a person of faith, I wonder how many of the righteously indignant use unauthorized aliens to mow their lawns, care for their children or elderly parents, etc. As a person of faith, I wonder how many of our own ancestors are Native Americans -- most were immigrants BEFORE there were restrictions imposed on immigration. As a person of faith, I ask, what is it that people are so afraid of?
As Paul so eloquently wrote, There is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free, but ALL are one in Christ Jesus....
Posted by: Joyce Antila Phipps | March 31, 2008 9:28 PM
Thank you, Joyce, for your words. Most people have no idea what a catch-22 our immigration laws have become. The ten year penalty rule actually acts as an incentive to remain here, instead of returning to your original country and applying through legal channels. It would be similar to being asked if you have ever driven without a driver's license, when you have come to take the driver's test to get a license. Instead of allowing you to appy legally, they would say come back in ten years. On top of that, assume that after your ten year wait to apply, you know that you will have to stand in line for at least five years before you even get to the license clerks' desk.
My son-in-law has been mired in these legalities, and our family prays daily that things will change after the elections.
Posted by: Janible | March 31, 2008 10:37 PM
It is time for people of faith to judge whether we will obey God rather than men. As someone said, "ever doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Posted by: Glen | March 31, 2008 11:29 PM
Wayne E France:
I have one question that I would like a answer to at this time. How many legal and illegal immigrants can the United States support?
That depends on the rate of consumption and degree of wastefulness chosen by the US people.
Mark
Posted by: meurig | March 31, 2008 11:38 PM
I echo others' sentiments that this post is a great addition to the on-going immigration discussion. I appreciate his point that the blind invocation of Romans 13 doesn't serve the discussion much, and it must be seen as contextual. As he says, it just doesn't work to cry "submit" selectively. If we're called to God's law and God's way first, then we should interpret when to submit based on what we know about God and God's character. To that point, it seems to me there's a lot in the Bible about welcoming the stranger and being on the side of the oppressed and downtrodden that might give us pause to see if our current system really reflects those values. We should evaluate the system according to our Christian principles, not assume it is right and just. We as the church shouldn't give over our moral deliberation to the secular state.
That's where I also appreciate the few folks who chimed in about the actual complexity of immigration law in the US. This issue is so far from a simple legal/illegal determination; like most issues, it is a thousand shades of gray. As someone who has worked some on the advocacy surrounding this issue, I can say that think more "no amnesty" folks might have pause if they really caught a glimpse of the tangled and inadequate mess our current immigration system presents to anyone wishing entry (or to stay once here).
Unfortunately, all the fear-mongering and xenophobia, even if it doesn't reflect a majority of Christians, is winning the day in Congress, now even among many Democrats. The current toxic atmosphere on the Hill makes it doubly hard to even get remotely sensible bills and amendments considered that would actually work toward a solution. Every moving piece of legislation is fair game for members on both sides to demonstrate their "toughness" on "illegals," no matter the human cost. It's really disheartening how quickly this has spiraled downward from what was - only a year ago - a somewhat hopeful atmosphere that CIR was within reach. The Dems folded, and Republican allies like McCain and Bush - who seem unflappable on every issue under the sun - were suddenly impotent.
Think what one will about those who have come here illegally, but it seems to me that our faith should compel all of us to seek a humane solution and not be party to all the harsh rhetoric, regardless of where one stands on the issue.
Posted by: Bob | April 1, 2008 12:12 AM
Who are the authorities in this Republic?
The Constitution of the United States, that "quaint" old document so heartily despised by Cheney, Bush, and their band of thieves, begins "We the people of the United States… do ordain and establish this Constitution." We the people of the US are the authority: we delegate the exercise of power to our elected servants, but we retain the authority.
Or did: a great deal of evidence seems to indicate that we've abdicated our sovereignty, and the huge corporations have arrogated it to themselves.
And the LORD in His omniscience is fully aware of all of this and will judge us all accordingly.
May God help the people of the US, the Republic, the Constitution, and the rule of law, that dates back at latest to 1215…
Posted by: Ted Voth Jr | April 1, 2008 12:45 AM
I visited Mexico City and two large South American cities a few years ago. All were huge modern cities with extensive histories. And all had visible class and ethnic distinctions and levels of poverty that we do not experience here.
I am concerned that the Christian perspective on this issue begins at the U.S. border. Why should 12 million people feel the need to leave the country of their birth for a minimal living standard and a life that functions in the shadows of another country? While you can argue the technical and legal aspects of illegal aliens/ immigrants, the laws that will be broken to live and work in the U.S. are numerous. In the U.S. you will need a Social Security number, to pay taxes, and to engage in legal contracts. And the expectation for many is that the same laws and requirements as well as reprecussions for breaking them/not satisfying them apply to all citizens. If you are here illegally, you may be the victim of many just to keep your status unknown, and may have to make decisions that are not moral or legal just to survive. You will be as susceptible to the traps of poverty, the lures of quick money, and the stresses of the struggle as the rest of society.
I am saddened and frustrated everytime I look at man or woman and see a fear of being discovered or the frustration of the inability to express themselves beyond a few words. Where is the demand for opportunity in their country? Where is the demand for justice, equity, and access in their country? I remember purchasing art/crafts from a government sanctioned store (in Mexico)where the profits went back to the people that created them. I went to the airport and found the same art and crafts for 5-10x the price made in China. I had American friends tell me to bargin down the price of in country purchases; I never did because I believed they should receive a fair price. I remember the pre-travel lectures that the $300 I had in hand was the equivalent of the entire year salary for some, to understand the disparity and then apply the how-tos to protect myself from being a victim.
We have to challenge the idea that the U.S. is the only option for the world's poor or hopeful and demand that the countries of origin make greater effort to share its wealth and provide opportunity for all of its peoples. I don't think there is any book or scripture in the Bible that supports a limited (U.S. only) view of God's promise, people, or power. Living in the shadows or poor in America isn't the dream I want to advocate or justify with my faith. I'm not advocating ignoring the realities of the issue in the U.S. but that the solution may be one that negotiates beyond our borders.
Posted by: Stephanie Berry | April 3, 2008 9:43 PM
If we spent a fraction of the cost for this current war and for our first class military establishment (we are currently redoing our nuclear arsenal), we could launch a Marshal-like Plan (post World War II rebuilding of devastated Europe) for investment and development in Mexico and Central America. This would provide employment and other opportunities for Mexicans and others and they would be happy to stay home.
Posted by: George De Vries, Jr. | April 9, 2008 10:55 PM
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