Immigration Through a Biblical Lens: Understanding God's Heart on Nations, Borders, Foreigners, and Refugees

Immigration, borders, and the way we treat people from other countries are pressing issues in our world. These subjects come up in politics, online conversations, and classroom discussions. If you're interested in faith or want to know the Bible's perspective, it's valuable to look directly at what Scripture teaches.

The Bible addresses real-life challenges and offers principles about justice (fair treatment), mercy (genuine kindness), laws, human dignity (recognizing every person as made in God's image—Genesis 1:27), the role of nations, and caring for those who are displaced or vulnerable.

The Bible encourages both respect for order and laws and genuine care for people. It does not promote extremes—like having no borders at all or shutting everyone out. Instead, Scripture reveals God's desire for a balance between clear boundaries and compassion.

Key Question: How does God see nations, borders, outsiders, and people forced to leave home, such as refugees?

1. God Purposefully Created Nations and Boundaries

At the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9), humanity united in pride and sought to resist God’s command to spread throughout the earth. In response, God confused their languages and scattered them, resulting in the formation of distinct nations and peoples.

The Apostle Paul later explains this divine ordering of nations:

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands” (Acts 17:26, NIV).

Similarly, Deuteronomy 32:8 notes that God established the boundaries of the peoples.

The biblical picture, then, is not accidental. Nations and borders exist within God’s providential ordering of history. These distinctions help maintain social order, restrain wrongdoing, preserve cultural diversity, and ultimately guide people in their search for God, as Paul continues in Acts 17:27.

2. The Bible Recognizes Different Kinds of Foreigners

Scripture Distinguishes Between Types of Foreign Residents and Visitors

The Old Testament uses several Hebrew terms to describe different kinds of foreigners or outsiders living among Israel. These distinctions help clarify how various individuals were treated within the community.

Ger (sojourner or resident alien). This term typically refers to a foreigner who lived among the people with some recognized standing in the community. Such individuals were protected under the law and expected to live according to the society’s legal and moral standards.

Zar (temporary visitor). This word often describes someone passing through or visiting temporarily—travelers who would receive basic hospitality but were not permanent residents.

Nekhar (foreign national). This term can refer to someone outside the covenant community who remained socially or religiously disconnected and therefore did not receive the same protections or privileges as resident foreigners.

Biblical commands to love and protect foreigners most often focus on the ger, those living vulnerably or lawfully within the community (Leviticus 19:33–34). Although Scripture does not use the modern term refugee, the category of the ger frequently includes people fleeing famine, hardship, or danger—situations comparable to many displaced persons today.

3. Lawful Residents and Vulnerable Sojourners Had Rights—and Responsibilities

God Commanded Both Protection and Accountability for Foreign Residents

Throughout the Old Testament, God instructed Israel to treat the ger, or sojourner, with fairness and compassion while also expecting them to live according to the community’s laws and standards.

Scripture repeatedly emphasizes that foreign residents were to receive equal justice under the law:

• “The same law applies both to the native-born and to the foreigner residing among you” (Exodus 12:49).

  
  

God also forbade mistreatment or exploitation of foreigners, reminding Israel of their own history:

• “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt” (Exodus 23:9; see also Deuteronomy 24:17).

Provision was also built into Israel’s economic life. Farmers were commanded to leave portions of their harvest for the poor and for foreigners living among them (Leviticus 19:9–10), ensuring that vulnerable residents had access to basic necessities.

Most strikingly, God commanded Israel:

• “Treat the foreigner living among you as if they were native-born. Love them as yourself, because you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34; see also Deuteronomy 10:18–19).

  
  

At the same time, these foreign residents were expected to respect the laws and customs of the community in which they lived. Compassion and justice were meant to work together, grounded in empathy born from Israel’s own experience as outsiders in Egypt.

They were to obey laws and respect the community. Many commands emphasize empathy—Israel knew the pain of being outsiders in Egypt.

4. Biblical Hospitality Was Extended to Guests and Vulnerable Outsiders

Compassion Was Shown to Those Welcomed Into the Community

In Scripture, those described as “strangers” were often people who had been welcomed into a community, were living there lawfully, or were in vulnerable circumstances needing protection and provision.

For example, Jacob and his family were welcomed into Egypt during a severe famine and given a place to live under Pharaoh’s protection (Genesis 46–47). Likewise, Ruth—a Moabite—chose to join the people of Israel and embrace their community and faith, declaring, “Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Biblical hospitality, therefore, was not indiscriminate but directed toward guests, lawful residents, and those in genuine need of refuge or assistance. Scripture consistently calls God’s people to show compassion and generosity toward such individuals while still maintaining social order and respect for the laws governing the community.

In short, the Bible commands compassion toward those in need or living among the people, but it does not call for ignoring the rule of law.

5. Full Integration Meant Sharing Values, Laws, and Faith

Belonging Fully Included Embracing the Community’s Commitments

In the Old Testament world, becoming fully integrated into Israel often meant more than simply residing among the people; it involved embracing the community’s shared values, laws, and faith.

Ruth provides a clear example. In choosing to remain with Naomi, she declared, “Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16, NIV), expressing her desire to join Israel not only socially but spiritually and culturally as well.

Similarly, Joshua later called the people to consciously choose whom they would serve (Joshua 24:15), underscoring that belonging involved shared commitments and loyalty to the covenant community.

Within this framework, certain privileges and deeper participation in community life were often connected to fuller involvement and identification with the people and their faith.

Certain privileges came with deeper involvement.

6. Government Has a God-Given Duty to Enforce Laws

Civil Authorities Are Charged With Promoting Justice and Restraining Evil

Scripture teaches that civil authorities serve an important role in maintaining order and protecting society. Romans 13:1–4 describes governing leaders as God’s servants who are tasked with encouraging what is good and restraining wrongdoing.

The Old Testament likewise affirms the importance of wise and just leadership. Deuteronomy 17 outlines principles for Israel’s kings, emphasizing accountability to God’s law and responsibility for governing rightly.

Within this biblical framework, governments are expected to protect their citizens, enforce just laws, and maintain public order. This responsibility includes ensuring laws are applied fairly and that national boundaries and security measures serve the broader goal of safeguarding people while still upholding justice and compassion.

7. Scripture Shows Special Concern for Refugees and the Displaced

God’s People Are Called to Care for Those Forced From Their Homes

People who flee persecution, war, violence, or severe hardship closely resemble what Scripture describes as vulnerable sojourners—individuals living away from their homeland and in need of protection and provision. Throughout the Bible, God expresses particular concern for those in such vulnerable circumstances, often grouping the foreigner with the widow and orphan as people needing special care. As Psalm 146:9 declares, “The Lord watches over the foreigner.”

The New Testament provides a striking example when Joseph and Mary fled with the infant Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s violence (Matthew 2:13–15). In this way, even Jesus’ early life reflects the experience of displacement, highlighting God’s identification with those forced from their homes.

Jesus further teaches that welcoming the stranger is, in a profound sense, welcoming Him: “I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35–40). Commands to love one’s neighbor (Matthew 22:39) and to show hospitality even to strangers (Hebrews 13:2) carry particular weight when applied to those who have lost the safety and stability of home.

Scripture repeatedly reminds God’s people of their own history as strangers and foreigners, urging them to act with compassion toward others in similar circumstances (Deuteronomy 10:19).

8. Justice and Mercy Must Be Held Together

Scripture Calls for Both Compassion and Fairness

The Bible consistently teaches that justice and mercy are not opposing values but complementary responsibilities. The prophet Micah summarizes God’s expectation clearly: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NIV).

Biblical compassion does not require abandoning laws or standards of justice, and justice itself is not meant to be harsh or unfeeling. Instead, God calls His people to uphold fairness while showing genuine kindness and care toward those who are vulnerable.

True compassion seeks to protect and assist those in need while also maintaining accountability and social order—ensuring that people are neither mistreated nor encouraged in wrongdoing.

9. (Editor’s Note from Dr. Stratton) The Kingdom of Heaven Also Has Boundaries and a Constitution

All Are Invited, but Citizenship Requires Commitment to the Law of Christ

Scripture portrays the Kingdom of Heaven as both radically open in invitation and yet clearly bounded in vetted membership. Revelation describes the New Jerusalem as having walls and gates, symbolizing both welcome and protection:

“It had a great, high wall with twelve gates…” (Revelation 21:12).“The nations will walk by its light… On no day will its gates ever be shut” (Revelation 21:24–25).

The gates remain open, reflecting God’s universal invitation. Scripture repeatedly affirms that God desires all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), and Jesus Himself invites all who are weary to come to Him (Matthew 11:28), promising:

“Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).

Yet the same vision makes clear that not everything is permitted inside:

“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful” (Revelation 21:27).

In other words, anyone not committed to the Constitution of Heaven will not be permitted inside the Gates of Heaven. Entrance into the Kingdom therefore involves transformation and commitment to what Scripture calls the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 9:21)—not a mere system of rules, but the life of love Jesus commands and embodies, summed up in loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:37–39; John 13:34–35).

Citizens of Heaven are not puppets, nor are they coerced into obedience. Rather, they freely choose to live forever in love, justice, and peace with one another (Gal 5:14).

This also explains why Heaven cannot simply admit anyone regardless of their commitments or character. If someone inside the walls of God's Kingdom remained devoted to hatred, violence, or oppression, then, by definition, Heaven would cease to be Heaven. God loves every person—including even the worst sinners—and sincerely invites all into His kingdom (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). Yet God, in His omniscience, knows whether a person would freely choose to live forever in love or persist in rebellion.

God is omniscient, and thus possesses middle knowledge—knowledge of what any free creature would freely choose in any possible circumstance. Thus, God knows whether a person would freely embrace or forever reject the Law of Christ if admitted into Heaven.

Those who would persist in rejecting love cannot be admitted—not because God withholds mercy, but because their continued rebellion would destroy the very peace and flourishing Heaven exists to secure.

As Scripture further warns:

“Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood” (Revelation 22:15).

Thus, the Kingdom of God is open in invitation but not indifferent to how its citizens live.

All are welcomed, yet citizenship belongs to those who freely receive Christ’s grace and are transformed by His love.

Heaven itself reflects the same balance seen throughout Scripture: universal invitation joined with a community permanently committed to justice, mercy, and love.

In this way, even the eternal Kingdom holds together what Scripture consistently presents as inseparable—compassion and order, mercy and justice, invitation and transformation.

10. Summary

This document argues that the Bible does not support open borders or illegal immigration, emphasizing that God purposefully established nations and boundaries for order and human flourishing (Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 17:26; Deuteronomy 32:8). It distinguishes between categories of foreigners in Scripture, particularly highlighting the "ger" (sojourner or resident alien) as someone lawfully present, granted permission to reside among the people, protected under the law, and expected to obey community rules—unlike unauthorized outsiders.

Biblical commands to love, protect, and treat foreigners justly (Leviticus 19:33-34; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 10:18-19) primarily apply to these lawful or vulnerable sojourners, often with empathy rooted in Israel's own history as foreigners in Egypt, but they do not call for disregarding laws or granting full rights and inclusion to those who enter unlawfully. Instead, governments bear a God-given responsibility to enforce laws, promote justice, and maintain security (Romans 13:1-4), balancing compassion for the displaced (including refugees, as seen in Jesus' family's flight to Egypt in Matthew 2:13-15 and the call to welcome the "stranger" in Matthew 25:35-40) with order and fairness.

True biblical compassion integrates mercy with justice (Micah 6:8), respecting legal processes, encouraging integration through shared values, and avoiding extremes of unrestricted entry or total exclusion—thus, open borders and illegal entry contradict the scriptural emphasis on lawful presence, obedience to authority, and ordered national boundaries.

Finally, Scripture’s vision of Heaven itself reflects this same balance. The Kingdom of God is open in invitation to all people, yet entrance belongs to those who are thoroughly vetted and freely embrace the Law of Christ and choose to live in love toward God and others (Galatians 6:2; Revelation 21:27). Heaven’s gates stand open, but its peace is preserved because those who would reject love and justice are not admitted. In this way, even the eternal kingdom joins mercy with moral order and invitation with transformation (Romans 12:2).

Key Biblical Principles Summary

• Nations and borders are God's design for order.

• Legal/lawful presence and obedience matter for full rights.

• Compassion and protection especially for vulnerable sojourners/refugees.

• Empathy: We were strangers too (or are spiritual sojourners—1 Peter 2:11).

• Integration expects shared respect and values.

• Governments uphold justice and protection.

• Jesus identifies with the displaced—welcome the stranger as unto Him.

• Justice and mercy together—never one without the other.

• God’s Kingdom itself balances universal invitation with transformed and committed citizenship.

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Notes

For more about this topic, see the following from Speaker Mike Johnson (2-3-2026): The Christian Case for Border Security In the press gaggle following today's vote, I was asked to defend the Biblical case for border security and immigration enforcement. I did so, and then promised to post a longer explanation that I drafted during the Biden Administration. Here it is, and I hope it's helpful:

Despite the insistence of the progressive Left, people of all religious faiths should support a strong national border—and Christians CERTAINLY should. Critics are fond of citing particular Bible verses out of context to claim that Christians and Jews are being “unfaithful” if we oppose their radical open borders agenda. It has become increasingly important for us to set this record straight.

Perhaps the verse most often cited by the Left is Leviticus 19:34. Whether they know it or not, that passage happens to be from the instructions Moses delivered to the Israelites when they were on their journey through the wilderness in Sinai, before they reached their own Promised Land. The verse reads as follows: “But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” (KJV)

CONTEXT IS CRITICAL

It is, of course, a central premise of Judeo-Christian teaching that strangers should be treated with kindness and hospitality. We are each called to love God first and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Deut. 6:5, Lev. 19:18, Matt. 22:36-40, KJV). However, that “Greatest Commandment” was never directed to the government, but to INDIVIDUAL believers.

The Bible teaches that God ordained and created four distinct spheres of authority— (1) the individual, (2) the family, (3) the church, and (4) civil government—and each of these spheres is given different responsibilities. For example, while each INDIVIDUAL is accountable for his or her own behavior (e.g., Exodus 20), the FAMILY is commanded to “bring up children in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4) and “provide for their relatives” (1 Tim. 5:8). The CHURCH is commanded to make disciples and equip people for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-13), and the CIVIL GOVERNMENT is established to faithfully uphold and enforce the law so that order can be maintained in this fallen world, crime can be kept at bay, and people can live peacefully (Rom. 13, 1 Tim. 2:1-2).

To be properly understood, anytime a command is given in Scripture, one must first determine to WHOM that command is directed. For example, when Jesus taught us as His followers to practice mercy and forgiveness and to “turn the other cheek” (Matt. 5:38-40, KJV), He was not giving that command to the government. To the contrary, when government officials ignore crime, they are directly VIOLATING their responsibilities before God.

Indeed, the civil authorities are specifically charged to do justice, to ”bear the sword,” and to serve as “the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:1-4, KJV). As the Bible warns: “When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.” (Ecc. 8:11, TLB)

Read in its context, the passage in Leviticus 19 makes perfect sense. Showing love and kindness to a stranger was not a command given to civil government, but instead to individual believers. That same principle is emphasized in the New Testament. When Jesus spoke of embracing, caring, and providing for “the least of these” (E.g., Matt. 25:31-40), His instruction was given to His disciples, and not the local authorities.

The Bible is clear that Christians should practice personal charity—but also insist upon the enforcement of laws (like our federal immigration statutes) so that “every person is subject to the governing authorities” and “those who resist incur judgment” (Rom. 13:1-2).

BORDERS ARE BIBLICAL

Many on the Left today, and even some at the highest levels of our government, consider themselves “globalists” who envision a utopian world order where there are no borders between countries at all. Their fantasy will simply never be realized, and their basic premise (that man is inherently good and perfectible on his own) is the opposite of the Biblical truth that man is fallen and in need of redemption that is available only through salvation in Jesus Christ.

The Bible speaks favorably and consistently about distinct nations of people (see, e.g., Gen. 18:18, Num. 32:17, Psalm 67:2, Matt. 28:19, Rev. 5:9, 7:9, NIV), and about borders and walls that are built to guard and secure people, property, and jurisdictions (see, e.g., Deut. 19:14, 27:17, 32:8, Acts 17:26, NIV). When Nehemiah heroically led the Jewish remnant to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after their enemies had destroyed those walls, he was doing the noble work of God (Neh. 1-6, NIV).

Maintaining a secure border is not an offensive measure, but a wise, defensive one to prevent chaos and safeguard innocent life. As Rev. Franklin Graham once summarized, “Why do you lock your doors at night? Not because you hate the people on the outside, but because you love the people on the inside so much.”

THE CURRENT CATASTROPHE

Right now, because of 64 deliberate policy choices and executive orders of the Biden Administration, America is facing an unprecedented humanitarian and national security catastrophe at our open southern border. More than 10 million illegal aliens from around the world have entered the U.S. since Joe Biden became President, the majority of whom are single, military-aged men. Among them are countless violent criminals and more than 300 suspects on the terrorist watchlist. Cartels are making billions trafficking young women and unaccompanied minors, and many are suffering unspeakable abuses along the way. The Fentanyl that China and the cartels have pushed into the U.S. has become the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45.

As the peril increases and communities across our country become more and more overwhelmed with the crushing financial burdens of managing the influx of illegals, American citizens (and even a few Democratic governors and mayors) are finally demanding a return to sanity. America has always been a haven for people legitimately seeking asylum from danger in their home country, but we must insist they pursue a course of legal immigration and not simply ignore our laws.

Of course, the President of the United States must be the first to uphold our laws. Every citizen should insist that President Biden immediately use the eight broad statutory authorities he has right now to secure our borders and stop incentivizing illegal immigration. Among his most important executive authorities is 8 U.S.C. 1182(f), which empowers a President to “suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate” if he “finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.”

AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN RESPONSE

Due in large part to our Judeo-Christian foundations and the deep religious heritage we enjoy in this country, America is the most benevolent nation in the world—by far. However, we cannot maintain that strength and generosity if we surrender our own safety and sovereignty. Preserving law and order and securing our borders should not be partisan issues, but matters of common sense. These are certainly responsibilities fully authorized by the Bible—and expected of us by God.

Any time liberals attempt to bolster their “open borders” agenda by citing Scripture out of context, they should be kindly corrected with the facts (2 Tim. 2:24-25). Christians are called to love unconditionally, serve selflessly, and defend the defenseless. We are also called to stand for, and work to ensure, just government. Justice and mercy are not mutually exclusive pursuits. To the contrary, God specifically requires His people to practice both (Micah 6:8). Despite the unfounded claims of the Left, supporting a strong national border is a very Christian thing to do. The Bible tells us so.