What is the Bible’s position on immigrants and foreigners? What does the Bible say about immigration?

from the old testament

• God has always had a heart for all people to know Him and be saved (Genesis 12; Isaiah 52:10).
• The Bible consistently instructs God’s people to treat foreigners with kindness and justice. Israel was commanded to care for sojourners, remembering their own experience as foreigners in Egypt (Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:33–34).
• In the Mosaic law, God established protections for immigrants, including the right to justice (Deuteronomy 1:16), fair wages (Deuteronomy 24:14), and provision for their needs (Leviticus 23:22).
• At the same time, foreigners were also expected to respect Israel’s laws and follow God’s commands (Leviticus 18:26).
• The Bible provides numerous examples of how God’s people interacted with and treated foreigners. Abraham hospitably welcomed three travelers (later revealed as the Lord and two angels), offering them food and rest (Genesis 18:1–8). Ruth, a foreigner, found kindness from Boaz, who ensured she could glean safely in his fields (Ruth 2:8–12). When dedicating the temple, Solomon prayed that God would hear the prayers of foreigners who sought Him (1 Kings 8:41–43).
• Prophets condemned oppression of foreigners, emphasizing that God defends them alongside the poor and needy (Malachi 3:5).
• The phrase "a people that were not a people" is a biblical concept that appears in multiple places, highlighting how God includes those who were once outsiders into His covenant family. This originally applied to the Jews (Exodus 19:5–6; Deuteronomy 7:6; Hosea 1:10).
• The Bible also refers to foreigners as people who were not a people. In the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32:21, God warns Israel that because they provoked Him with idolatry, He would turn to a people who were previously “not a people” (Gentiles). This foreshadows the reality that Gentiles are included in God’s plan of salvation (cf. Ephesians 2:11—3:6).

from the new testament

• Jesus demonstrated love for outsiders (Matthew 8:5–13; 15:21–28; John 4:7–26; Luke 17:11–19; Galatians 3:28; Philippians 3:20).
• Paul emphasized that believers are citizens of God’s kingdom, showing that earthly divisions should not lead to mistreatment of others (Ephesians 2:19).
• Christians are called to show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2) and to love others regardless of nationality (Luke 10:25–37).
• Treatment of foreigners is seen in the New Testament as well. Jesus used a Samaritan, a foreigner despised by Jews, as an example of true neighborly love (Luke 10:25–37), teaching us that kindness should extend beyond cultural and national boundaries. In Matthew 8:5–13, a Roman officer, an outsider to Israel, demonstrated great faith. Jesus praised him and healed his servant. Jesus broke cultural barriers by speaking with a Samaritan woman in John 4:7–26, offering her the gospel and treating her with dignity. Philip preached to an Ethiopian official, who was then baptized, showing that God’s salvation extends to foreigners (Acts 8:26–40). Paul traveled extensively, bringing the gospel to foreigners across the Roman Empire, reinforcing that God welcomes people of all nations into His kingdom.
• God cares for the foreigner and the immigrant, but He also calls us to respect the laws of the land (Romans 13:1—7). That means those who immigrate should do so legally. ● Upholding a nation’s laws does not mean we are being unloving, as true love seeks both justice and mercy; rather, it God's character by balancing compassion with righteousness and ensuring order while still caring for those in need.

implications for today

God's heart for immigrants and foreigners is one of compassion, justice, and hospitality. Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to extend kindness and fairness to those who are strangers or outsiders. Whether we welcome foreigners and immigrants into our homes and communities, seek to learn about their culture, offer support during their struggles, or advocate for fair treatment, we are called to reflect God’s heart for the foreigner and immigrant. Like the early Christians who welcomed strangers in their homes, we are to reflect God’s love by creating spaces where immigrants feel seen, valued, and cared for.

While the Bible speaks of welcoming and treating foreigners with kindness and justice, it also upholds the importance of laws and order in society. In Romans 13:1–2, Paul writes, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." God's desire is for people to live under the authority of the laws that govern their land. Illegal immigration, by definition, violates the laws of the land and does not align with the Bible’s call to obey lawful authority. While the Bible emphasizes compassion for immigrants and the treatment of foreigners with dignity (Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:34), it also upholds the need for lawful processes in entering a country. Therefore, illegal immigration is contrary to the Bible’s teachings on both respect for laws and responsible stewardship of societal order.

Believers are foreigners and immigrants living in this world (1 Peter 2:11). Recognizing our temporary residence here calls us to a higher standard of living, reflecting God’s kingdom rather than the worldly systems around us. Recognizing that this world is not our permanent home should impact the way we treat others, including immigrants and foreigners. As citizens of God's kingdom, we are called to show compassion, justice, and love to all people, reflecting His heart in the way we welcome and treat immigrants and foreigners. The government has the responsibility to uphold laws and maintain national security (Romans 13:1–4), and the role of believers and the church is to demonstrate God’s character by living out truth in love through hospitality, care, and advocacy for the vulnerable (Deuteronomy 10:18–19; Matthew 25:35). While governments enforce justice, we as followers of Christ are called to reflect God’s character and treat all people as made in the image of God, regardless of a nation’s immigration laws.