Immigration Policies Raise Questions About Christian Values at Christmas

As the holiday season approaches, discussions surrounding immigration policies in the United States are increasingly relevant, particularly in light of their implications for people of color. Eric Foster, a columnist for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com, draws parallels between contemporary immigration issues and the biblical nativity story, suggesting that if Jesus Christ were alive today, he would face significant barriers at the U.S. southern border.

Foster highlights the nativity story, beginning with the angel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus in Bethlehem. This location, now part of the West Bank, serves as a backdrop for a larger conversation about how modern immigration policies reflect on Christian values. He argues that the current approach to immigration seems to prioritize white migrants over those from other racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Under President Donald Trump, the administration’s rhetoric surrounding immigration has been characterized by terms like “invasion,” which Foster claims has fostered an environment of fear and suspicion toward Hispanic migrants. The policies implemented included a significant increase in immigration enforcement funding and the deployment of officers to cities across the country, often leading to widespread arrests of individuals based on racial profiling.

The administration’s changes to the refugee admissions program further underscore this trend. On his first day in office, Trump indefinitely suspended the program and subsequently reduced the annual cap from 125,000 under President Joe Biden to just 7,500. Notably, these slots were primarily allocated to white Afrikaners from South Africa, raising concerns about the criteria used in refugee admissions.

Foster emphasizes the implications of these policies, stating that they disproportionately affect people of color. The narrative surrounding migrants has shifted, painting those from predominantly white nations as deserving of compassion while casting others in a negative light. He notes that after a violent incident involving an Afghan migrant, Trump vowed to pause migration from “third world countries,” further restricting entry for individuals from nations with diverse racial backgrounds.

The columnist invites readers to reflect on the significance of Jesus’s identity, mentioning that he likely had “darker skin,” a detail often overlooked in discussions about race and immigration. Foster poses a poignant question: if Jesus were to seek refuge in what many consider a Christian nation today, would he be welcomed?

As the holiday season unfolds, Foster urges Christians to consider the message of their faith in relation to immigration policies. He cites the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which recently described current immigration policies as “inhumane.” This raises essential questions about the compatibility of Christian values with the fear and exclusion that characterize contemporary immigration discourse.

Foster concludes by reminding readers that the nativity story is not merely a historical account but a call to compassion and inclusivity. He encourages a re-examination of how faith aligns with attitudes towards those who seek refuge, especially as Christians reflect on the meaning of Christmas during this pivotal time of year.