The Biblical Command

“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
- Exodus 22:21 (ESV)

Some Christians appeal to this passage to argue that deporting undocumented immigrants through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) violates God's command. However, this interpretation overlooks the original purpose of the law and the distinction between enforcing immigration laws and mistreating those subject to them.

Protection, Not Exemption

The Hebrew word translated “sojourner” refers to a foreigner residing among the Israelites. Such people were particularly vulnerable because they lacked the family connections and inherited protections enjoyed by native Israelites.

God commanded His people not to exploit or oppress these foreigners, reminding Israel of its own suffering in Egypt.

However, foreigners living among the Israelites were also subject to the laws governing the community (Leviticus 24:22). God's command required fair treatment, not exemption from civil responsibility.

Authority and Compassion

Romans 13:1-7 teaches that civil government possesses legitimate authority to maintain order and administer justice. This includes establishing and enforcing immigration laws.

Nevertheless, government authority does not excuse injustice. The legality of deportation does not automatically justify every method used to accomplish it.

Jesus taught His disciples to welcome strangers and demonstrate compassion toward those in need (Matthew 25:35). Christians must therefore recognize both the government's responsibility to enforce laws and their own responsibility to treat every person with dignity.

These obligations are complementary, not contradictory.

Why This Matters

The danger arises when Christians use Scripture to defend political positions rather than allowing Scripture to shape their convictions.

Those opposing deportation should not automatically characterize every enforcement of immigration law as oppression forbidden by God. Those supporting deportation should not use its legality to excuse cruelty, discrimination, or indifference toward suffering.

Exodus 22:21 does not prohibit deportation. It prohibits the oppression of foreigners.

The Christian's responsibility is to uphold justice while practicing mercy, recognizing that legitimate authority and human compassion are not opposing principles.

Ultimately, Christians must neither confuse compassion with the elimination of all legal boundaries nor confuse respect for law with indifference toward those who suffer under its enforcement.

God calls His people to respect lawful authority while treating every human being with the dignity owed to someone created in His image.