Aliens in America: Day 16

Compassion for the Alien 

‘As aliens, live in reverent fear’ (1 Pet. 1:17) 

‘Migrants are among the first victims of multiple forms of poverty. Not only is their dignity denied in their home countries, but also their lives are put at risk because they no longer have the means to start a family, to work, or to feed themselves…No one will ever openly deny that they are human beings; yet in practice, by our decisions and the way we treat them, we can show them that we consider them less worthy, less important, less human…it is urgent to remember that every migrant is a human person who possesses fundamental unalienable rights that must be respected by everyone and in every circumstance.’   

Pope Francis (Dignitas Infinita 40) 

Trump protecting the unborn doesn’t apply to immigrants. He tends to demonize them, as we all witnessed when debating Harris: ‘They’re eating the dogs, the people coming in, they’re eating the cats…that’s what’s happening in our country and it’s a shame!’!’ 

No, the shame is on Trump for inflammatory rhetoric against immigrants in our nation. Are you afraid? Watch out for dark-skinned neighbors! Are you hurting financially? The illegals are leeching your income! In an effort to expose an insecure border, he plays upon baseline insecurities and generalizes his rancor for a few violators (violent gangsters and murderers) onto all who are not enough like us. Beware, the alien is out to get you (or your pets)!  

One of my most esteemed colleagues in Living Waters serves immigrants full-time in a large American city. She knows how vulnerable migrants are on all sides. Aware that our border system has failed them, she is the first to advocate for its radical overhaul if newcomers are to be vetted effectively, dignity-in-tact.  

She also experiences the fear-mongering Trump ignites in ordinary Americans. The migrants she serves experience heightened scrutiny daily. Two such Americans targeted her non-migrant daughter Gina. 

Gina serves alongside her mom. After a night Costco run, she bent down to transfer supplies from cart to car. A truck ran into her and knocked her down. She got up, disoriented, as the driver and wife screamed: ‘Drug addict! Illegal! You did that to get our insurance money!’ 

Later in court, Gina’s daughter expressed: ‘I didn’t think that could happen here, to us…’  

Trump’s inflammatory words about immigrants can light fires of suspicion and racism. Rebuilding a broken border doesn’t require such indignities.   

Pope Francis responded to an interviewer: ‘American Catholics have to choose between the lesser of two evils. Both candidates’ policies are against life. Whether it’s the chasing away of migrants or the one who kills children, both are against life.’ Amen.  

‘Free us from fear, free us for You, our security and source of compassion for every alien, men and women of dignity seeking to live in a culture not their own. In accord with Your Word, may we show compassion to aliens, as we were once in Egypt and as we are today, strangers in a strange land.’    

‘Jesus, You are the King, and we are first citizens of Your Kingdom. Would you free us for You in this election season, not to hide but to shine? You’ve always asked nothing less from Your elect whom You have made ‘strangers in a strange land’ (Ex. 2:22). Here we are, a people who don’t know what to do but who look and listen to our King.  

“Father of all holiness, 

guide our hearts to You. 

Keep in the light of Your Truth 

all those You have freed from the darkness of unbelief. 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.”’ 

Amen 

Join Andrew on Desert Streaming each week as he dives deeper into his blog. Watch here or listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.