Love Thy New Neighbor: The Role of Religion in Shaping Texas Immigration Policies
For better or worse, faith and religion have always played some role in shaping American policy. For many people, faith guides their core values, providing valuable structure to how they see the world. It is the lens through which they treat other people, raise their children, and envision a better future.
In some ways, this is a good thing. Many religious groups in Texas view the principles of compassion, hospitality, and care for strangers as core tenets of their faith. These values are often drawn from biblical passages like Matthew 25:35 ("I was a stranger, and you welcomed me").
These religious organizations, including Catholic churches and faith-based nonprofits, advocate for more humane immigration policies and provide aid to destitute immigrants, including legal assistance, shelter, and food. These groups often see welcoming immigrants as a moral and religious obligation.
This compassionate stance often translates into lobbying for policies that support a path to citizenship, family reunification, and humane treatment at the border, though these efforts often clash with more restrictive state policies. Increasingly, supportive organizations that aim to provide humanitarian relief to immigrants have been targeted by the state of Texas in an effort to restrict their ability to offer help in alignment with their moral missions.
But not every religious organization feels called to offer aid and bring humanity to a perilous situation at the border. In fact, some groups influenced by Christian nationalist ideals argue for stricter immigration controls, viewing the protection of national identity and security as paramount. This viewpoint tends to align more with conservative interpretations of Christianity that focus on law and order, sovereignty, and a belief that immigration threatens American (often seen as Christian) values.
For these groups, immigration policy is shaped by the belief that maintaining the cultural and moral fabric of the nation is critical. They may support policies that restrict immigration to protect what they perceive as a Christian identity for the country… even though America has never been a Christian country, and was, in fact, founded on the bedrock principle of the separation of church and state,
While not always aligned with Christian nationalism, Evangelical Christians, who make up a substantial portion of Texas voters, also play a crucial role in shaping immigration policies, as they are often a core constituency for conservative politicians. While some evangelical leaders advocate for compassionate immigration reform, others support tougher immigration laws, reflecting a tension within the community.
The Republican Party in Texas, which draws significant support from evangelical voters, often emphasizes border security and enforcement as a primary policy focus. Religious beliefs in this context are framed around protecting the nation, preserving jobs, and maintaining social order, which can translate into support for policies like the construction of border walls and limiting asylum.
Religious beliefs, particularly those based on Christianity, play a complicated and sometimes messy role in shaping Texas immigration policy. While some groups advocate for compassion and humanitarian aid rooted in their faith, others emphasize national security, legal enforcement, and cultural preservation.
If your faith calls you to fight for compassion and connection, rather than displacement and disconnection, you’re in good company. Progressive faith traditions may not always be the loudest voice in the political “room,” but there are many communities working to embody their commitment to loving their neighbors–even if that neighbor is new to the area, speaks a different language, has a different culture, or happens to be a different skin color. Let’s bring compassion back to religion and stand in unity for immigration reform that recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of all human beings.