14 Feb Thoughts on Immigration and Mosaic

As you’ve undoubtedly heard, there is a new presidential administration, and along with it has come new policies regarding immigration into the United States.

These new policies have understandably created a level of confusion and fear into many people living in this county under a variety of circumstances.

And specifically, if you are reading this and are someone impacted by these new decisions and directions, please know that we see you and love you in the middle of what might be a difficult moment for you.

In light of all of this, allow me to encourage us all to take a deep breath, understanding that this issue is both complex and impacts all kinds of lives and communities across the country (Christian churches, included).

So, please allow us (the Mosaic Elder Team) to introduce a series of thoughts we would recommend to be considered by all of us, and especially by those in positions of public leadership. We realize that the list of potential issues and public policies that could be spoken to, as always, is endless. However, we felt that this particular conversation affects Christians across the board, intersects what has long been considered a part of the church’s mission and ethic (that is, hospitality for outsiders), and therefore deserved attention.

How might we think about this challenging issue both biblically and relationally? Here are five ways, offered humbly:

1. In our Scriptures and story, immigrants have a special place in God’s heart.

Immigrants are part of the “quartet of the vulnerable” (widows, orphans and the poor being the other three consistently named in Scripture), and are loved by God, who directs us to consider the care we give them (Exodus 22:21-22, Zechariah 7:10, Deuteronomy 10:18, among others).

While each modern immigration situation might not be identical to the ones found in Scripture, we should not forget the story of Ruth, and how her immigration in a desperate situation brought salvation into the world.

Nor should we forget how desperation created a refugee of Jesus, who sought safety in another land from those seeking His life (Matthew 2:14). These truths ought to tenderize our hearts in a polarized moment, and remind us that any nursing of grievances towards outsiders goes against the grain of the Gospel.

2. Boundaries and borders are not evils, and governments have obligations to enforce them. 

We also see in our Scriptures that the God of the nations establishes boundaries inside and outside of nations, both in Israel and the world (Exodus 23:21, Numbers 34). In light of this, I would hope that we would be, in principle, supportive of policies that protect a nation’s citizenry from those who would enter a nation for the purposes of exploitation and harm.

3. We should consider accelerated pathways to citizenship for current immigrants.

Countless immigrants who are here without legal documentation have entered the American workforce and have made our nation and churches better. Creating a quick and simple pathway to citizenship for these would benefit all, immediately bring increased social cohesion, and prevent the devastating separation of families, which would only produce less desirable outcomes.

4. Mosaic intends to freely minister to all who come through its doors.

You should know, if you haven’t, that the current administration has rescinded previous policy that designated churches, hospitals, and schools from being “safety zones,” and has intimated that ICE could move into these spaces at will.

Whether or not that happens, if immigration enforcement comes onto Mosaic’s campuses and presents proper authorization, we intend to comply with their legal requirements but will not extend our cooperation beyond what the law mandates.

While not the same as immigration officials, we do have a long-standing and positive history with our city’s police. We believe they are supportive and appreciative of Mosaic’s mission and the sociological benefits we bring into the city, through our diverse expression of the Gospel and our ministry to the poor and to our schools.

We intend to continue to be that kind of vibrant, multiethnic Gospel witness, and commit to being a place of hospitality and service for all who come through our doors and into our lives, regardless of status.

5. We have worked behind the scenes for years…

…to help immigrants achieve citizenship as well as to navigate threatening and potentially life-threatening situations in their countries of origin. For obvious reasons, these are stories we cannot (and should not) publicize. But our care for those in vulnerable positions has been a consistent piece of the ministry we do that many will never see. In other words, our care for the immigrant did not begin recently (and the same is true of many churches here in Texas).

This email comes, then, in light of the public conversation happening now and offers these humble thoughts of how we might credibly care for our community, honor authority, and do justice.

We hope we all might carefully consider our words, rhetoric and action in anxious moments, and remember our God has invited us all to “cast our cares on Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Blessings to you, and we will see you Sunday.

With love,
John, Morgan, & Gaylen
Mosaic Elder Team