This is a rare post in which I share a glimpse of my political orientation. So here it is–I am a right leaning independent voter. Why right? Because I am in favor of lesser government control and inclined towards individual freedoms. I support capitalism as long as its done ethically and believe that businesses should be given every opportunity to thrive in order to fuel the economy. There are other positions as well but I think you get the idea.
At one point, I seriously considered just signing my name to the Republican party. But then the 2016 election happened and decided being an independent was more favorable to my conscience. I won’t go further into that.
While I am not on board with MAGA, I still consider myself a conservative. In the podcast I formerly co-hosted, I shared why my Christianity oriented me in this direction. You can listen to this episode and hear more about that.
But when it comes to the issue of immigration and refugee resettlement, some would call me a Leftist, especially those strongly committed to the MAGA agenda or otherwise strongly partisan all-or-nothing right wing agendas.
It’s not that I believe in open borders or a lack of concern for the impact of unchecked immigration. Of course not. I consider Acts 17:26;
And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.
In Paul’s defense of Christianity in the Areopagus addressing the philosophies of the day, there is an acknowledgment that it well within God’s design for nations to have boundaries. It is completely reasonable for these nations to establish laws and policies regarding entrance. As Christians, we should be concerned with what makes for the “good of the City” including controlled immigration.
Nor do I believe that cherry-picking Old Testament verses is applicable to modern day immigration policies. The commands were directed at God’s people concerning their covenant gathering.
When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as a native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God. (Lev. 19:33-34)
The commands to the nation of Israel are not equivalent to commands to modern day nations. They were directed towards his people, not the society at large. We have to consider what these commands mean in terms of New Testament fulfillment in the work and person of Jesus Christ (see 2 Cor. 1:20). The translation of these commands today would be to have a welcoming posture towards the outsider, particular those who come into our churches. But I don’t believe it is a blanket license to impose on immigration policies. The church is not the state.
However, I do believe there is a general principle at work concerning our regard for people who look to escape desperate, violent or life-diminishing circumstances. After all, there IS a reason that the US remains an attractive option for the values of freedom and opportunity. I do believe Scripture calls us to have compassion, to seek for the good of others. Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, the concept of mercy is imbedded in the whole counsel of Scripture. As Jesus himself stated;
Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy (Matt. 5:7)
For me, this mercy takes the form of generous immigration policies, humane treatment, favorable consideration of the paths that led to choosing the US as home. What are people escaping that would have them so desperate to traverse dangerous passages like the Darian Gap passage or other risky avenues to smuggle into the country? Is illegal entry right? Of course not. But there should be considerations other than “they are just law breakers.” Are the immigration policies fair and just? I am not opposed to deportation but I am in favor of giving people a shot at a better life. But I am definitely opposed to pulling the rug out from people’s feet who thought they had some kind of legal standing or path only to find themselves facing deportation. I am opposed to leaving those promised admission as refugees, go through an extensive vetting process, then suddenly left in a precarious or even dangerous position. I am opposed to the fear it has instilled in people just trying to find a way to live a reasonable life and contribute to the good of the US society. It isn’t right. It isn’t just.
This is not an exhaustive treatise by any means but to give an idea of where I stand. And regardless of my conservative orientation and primarily Republican voting pattern (with few exceptions), for these views I would likely be called a Leftist.
Now let’s me clear that Leftist is not simply an identifier as one who holds to a opposing political position but really just wants good for the city, state, and country. No, from what I have observed, it is a term used pejoratively towards those who dare step outside the strict partisan box. A Christian that is labeled such is one considered unfaithful to the application of their Christianity because they chose to deviate from a firm right-wing partisan agenda. Calling someone a Leftist is equivalent to saying they lack Christian virtue in some capacity.
There was a time that it would bother me to be called a Leftist. But now, I don’t care especially when it comes to how people are viewed and treated. I would much rather be concerned of keeping Christ’s kingdom prioritized and the application of HIS paradigm to be enforced than rather I fit into a neat little partisan box complete with the bow of an approved label. I would much rather be on the side of love for God and neighbor than love for an earthly, political paradigm.
So call me a Leftist because honestly, there are worst things I could be called like unfaithful.
TheoThoughts 
I certainly like your brazenness in addressing the issue. As a Christian community we need treat others with care and compassion as in the Golden Rule. In one area I disagree with your argument. Most of these illegal immigrants have been used like a tool to destabilize our nation through changing its character and through placing so many at the mercy of a government already having a soaring debt problem. That debt problem alone makes it extremely hard to carry the provision for the needs of this particular immigrant. Your statement “who thought they had some kind of legal standing or path” is rather telling in how these people were used by others who had a motive for destabilizing this nation. Sadly, these need to be returned and a legal immigration set up to accept them as we can afford them. It is the same principle as why I cannot accept the homeless of my community into my home. I have already had to do do that with family members who have gotten themselves into a bad situation. I am willing to do that if they are willing to work. I cannot facilitate their simply leaching on my already limited income. They have to make a contribution or this becomes a bad situation for them and me. Should we help them? I think so, but why not enable them appropriately in their native lands? It is much more economical and cost effective. We need to be sure that the economic aid given goes to the people and not the few running the country such as happened with Gaza and Hamas. Those leaders became billionaires while the people lived in substandard housing without proper civic development.
You have a well meaning point and it is one that must be considered by those in government as you communicate with your elected state and national legislators. By the way, in my way of thinking, if you are not communicating your political thoughts with your legislators, you have little to say of importance in any conversation. Write them. Let them know.