Introduction

The subject of illegal immigration and amnesty has a been a “hot button” topic in our country for a while now. It’s frequently on the news and in the papers. There is a wide range of opinions to be found- just ask around and you’ll find this out very quickly. The question is, what is the right opinion?

In this lesson I’m going to attempt to give you some facts about illegal immigration and amnesty along with some Scriptural principles that I think apply.

I. Facts and history about illegal immigration and amnesty.

a. Definition of amnesty for illegal immigrants: “…the government’s pardon for violating policies related to immigration or politics. The federal government forgives these individuals for using false documentation to more easily get employment in the U.S. and to be able to remain in the country. Amnesties allow illegal immigrants or undocumented aliens to gain permanent residency in the United States.”

b. Amnesty History

i. For nearly 200 years from the time that our country was founded, amnesty was only given on a case-by-case basis.

ii. 1986- The first large-scale amnesty was passed by U.S. government. It was called the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).

1. It gave approximately 2.8 million illegal immigrants (and their immediate relatives or dependants) legal status in the United States

2. It was only meant to be a “one-time” amnesty, but it actually turned out to be the beginning of many amnesties that would follow. To date there have been additional amnesties that have been granted to illegal immigrants.

a. Section 245(i) Amnesty of 1994

b. Section 245(i) Extension Amnesty of 1997

c. NACARA Amnesty of 1997

d. HRIFA Amnesty of 1998

e. Late Amnesty of 2000

f. LIFE Act Amnesty of 2000

iii. These amnesties have legalized over 3 million illegal immigrants.

c. The vast majority of Americans are against amnesty of any kind.

i. It adds millions of poor to our society.

1. When Congress enacts an amnesty, it makes the American public financially responsible for those amnestied.

ii. The cost to American taxpayers is very high. (especially since illegal immigrants don’t pay taxes on what they earn)

1. The IRCA amnesty alone cost our country over 78 billion dollars.

iii. It sends the message that it’s OK to break the law. An amnesty says that eventually you will be forgiven, even rewarded, for breaking the law. Furthermore, it makes a mockery of the legal immigration process, wherein those who obey the rules wait years to immigrate (instead of “jumping the line” and hoping for absolution later).

iv. It sets a dangerous precedent.

1. Remember- the IRCA amnesty of 1986 was supposed to be a one-time deal.

v. It threatens homeland security.

1. Aliens who apply in their home countries to become legal immigrants to the United States are screened by U.S. consular officials to weed out any criminals or likely terrorists.

d. Please note that I say this without any “slant”- these are documented facts. In the political arena, amnesty is favored by Democrats and liberal Republicans. Conservative Republicans are against amnesty of any kind.

i. Immigrants who have eventually gotten U.S. citizenship have traditionally thrown their votes behind the Democratic party.

e. We now have an estimated 36 million immigrants and their children in America today.

i. 12 million of these are illegal immigrants that are here in violation of our laws.

ii. Many of these illegal immigrants have no desire or intention to learn our language or assimilate themselves into our society. They expect us to cater to them.

f. Vicente Fox, president of Mexico, is publicly lobbying for amnesty to be given to Mexican illegal aliens and for an “open border” policy between Mexico and the U.S.

i. Mr. Fox denies that Mexicans want citizenship. He says they simply want to take advantage of the economic opportunities available in the United States.

ii. Illegal immigration to the United States provides Mexico with a much-needed outlet for its malcontent poor.

iii. Illegal aliens send billions of dollars in revenue back to Mexico every year. These remittances, which Mr. Fox is desperate to protect and possibly increase, are Mexico's second-largest source of income. (behind oil exports)

iv. Mexico itself remains unmoved by appeals to compassion or justice. It is making an extraordinary effort to seal its southern borders with Guatemala and Belize, recognizing the dangers to its internal politics and economy posed by illegal immigration from its southern neighbors. What Mexico demands from its neighbor to the north, it refuses to extend to its neighbors to the south.

v. Mexico also refuses to extradite criminal aliens who may face the death penalty or life in prison without possibility of parole in the United States.

g. President Bush’s latest plan in the area of illegal immigration and amnesty is called the “Temporary Worker Program”. Some see this as just another form of amnesty, even though he claims that it is not. The basics of the plan:

i. Illegal immigrants can apply for a 3-year work permit after they pay a fine (and possibly back taxes) for violating our laws. This permit would be renewable for a cost.

ii. They must have a job while they hold this permit, and their employer must report their hire and when they leave employment.

iii. Holders of this permit can start the process of applying for U.S. citizenship legally.

1. “Approval would not be automatic. They would have to wait in line behind those who played by the rules and followed the law.” –President Bush

II. What Scriptural principles apply here?

a. The end does not justify the means. (II Chronicles 1:16-20)

i. King Uzziah knew that it was right to offer sacrifices to the Lord. However, he disobeyed God’s commands regarding who was to offer those sacrifices. His pride told him that, because he was the king, he could offer the sacrifice himself instead of waiting for the priests.

ii. God punished his actions by giving him the disease of leprosy.

iii. It would not be right to excuse illegal immigrants from the penalties of their actions. This will encourage more people to follow their example in the confidence that they will face no consequences.

b. Authority is ordained of God and should be obeyed and respected. (I Timothy 2:1-2) (Hebrews 13:17a) (Romans 13:1)

i. This means that people should be willing to accept the consequences of their actions.

ii. Nobody is above the law.

c. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of what God has given us. (Luke 19:12-24)

i. It seems that we are using up a lot of our country’s resources in trying to cater to illegal immigrants while we complain that we can’t take care of our own people sufficiently.

Conclusion

Is immigration in general wrong? No, as long as it’s done in the right way according to our laws. I think that we need to crack down on illegal immigration just like we need to crack down on many other things that are happening contrary to the laws of our country. People shouldn’t be excused from the consequences of their actions. I think that President Bush’s plan has some good points, but it also has some troubling points as well. This is yet another reason to keep our leaders in prayer on a constant basis. They need God’s wisdom.