Scripture consistently commands God's people to protect, welcome, and love the foreigner—both because God himself does, and because believers were once outsiders too.
Scripture on Immigration
Leviticus 19:33-34
Old Testament
"When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
Deuteronomy 10:17-19
Old Testament
"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt."
Matthew 25:35-40
New Testament
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or a stranger and invite you in?' The King will reply, 'Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
1 Peter 2:11-12
New Testament
"Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
Hebrews 13:2
New Testament
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."
The Bottom Line
How you treat the immigrant reveals whether you actually believe God is just and merciful.
Try Today
Learn the name and story of one immigrant in your community—at work, school, church, or neighborhood. Ask them one genuine question about their journey.
Prayer
Jesus taught us to pray for those who are vulnerable and marginalized, showing us God's heart through his own example (Matthew 5:44-45).
Father, you see the immigrant, the refugee, the stranger. You have commanded us to love them as ourselves and promised to defend their cause. Forgive us for walls we've built—both literal and in our hearts. Help us see the image of Christ in every foreigner. Give us courage to act justly, to welcome the vulnerable, and to speak up for those without a voice. Make us a people known for genuine hospitality and radical inclusion. In Jesus' name, Amen.
📚 Read Ruth 3-4, where a foreigner becomes part of God's family and lineage, and Exodus 22:21, where God's law protects the immigrant.
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