For guidance, we need look no further than one of Jesus' most powerful parables: the Good Samaritan.
Luke 10:25-36 NIV [25] On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [26] “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” [27] He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” [28] “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” [29] But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” [30] In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. [31] A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. [32] So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ [36] “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
Imagine the scene: A man, traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, falls among robbers. They strip him, beat him, and leave him for dead. Along comes a priest, then a Levite – both pillars of the religious community. And both, perhaps seeing the man's predicament as an inconvenience or a defilement, pass by on the other side. Their priorities, it seems, were not aligned with immediate, sacrificial love.
Then, a Samaritan. Samaritans were despised by the Jews of the day, considered outsiders and heretics. Yet, it is this "foreigner" who stops. He doesn't question the man's origin, his past, or his worthiness. He sees a human being in dire need. He bandages his wounds, pours oil and wine on them, puts him on his own animal, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care. He goes above and beyond, extending radical hospitality and compassion.
Jesus then asks, "Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" The expert in the law replies, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus tells him, "You go, and do likewise."
This parable isn't just a quaint story; it's a direct challenge to our preconceived notions of who our "neighbor" is. It compels us to look beyond ethnicity, nationality, language, or legal status. It commands us to see the humanity in every person, especially those who are vulnerable and marginalized.
When we apply this to immigrants, the parallels are striking. Immigrants often arrive in new lands having experienced immense hardship, loss, and vulnerability. They are the ones on the side of the road, in need of a compassionate hand. Do we, like the priest and the Levite, pass by? Or do we, like the Good Samaritan, stop and offer help?
Applying the Good Samaritan to Undocumented Immigrants
The parable of the Good Samaritan directly challenges how we view and interact with undocumented immigrants. Just as the Samaritan did not inquire about the injured man's background or legal standing before offering aid, Christians are called to extend compassion to all individuals in need, regardless of their immigration status.
Undocumented immigrants often face unique vulnerabilities, including a lack of access to healthcare, legal protection, and social services. According to a 2021 report by the Pew Research Center, there were an estimated 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2021. Many of these individuals are working in essential industries, paying taxes (including sales and property taxes, and often income taxes indirectly or directly), and contributing to their communities, yet they live with constant fear and instability. For instance, an analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) estimated that undocumented immigrants collectively paid over $11.74 billion in state and local taxes in 2018.
However, despite these contributions, they are frequently marginalized and can be targets of exploitation due to their precarious legal situation. They are, in many ways, the "man on the road" who has fallen among robbers, stripped of their security and left vulnerable. Our response, as followers of Christ, should mirror the Samaritan's actions: not to question their "worthiness" or legal status, but to see their humanity and respond with mercy and practical assistance. This means focusing on their immediate needs for safety, dignity, and basic human rights, just as the Samaritan provided medical care and shelter.
The Bible is full of scriptures that underscore this call to welcome the stranger:
Leviticus 19:33-34 (NIV) "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 yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
This isn't a suggestion; it's a command, rooted in God's own character and Israel's history.
Deuteronomy 10:18-19 (NIV) "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."
God's heart is clearly for the vulnerable, including foreigners.
Matthew 25:35 (NIV) "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."
Jesus directly links our treatment of "the least of these" to our treatment of Him.
Maintaining a strong foundation in faith and aligning our priorities with God's will means recognizing that His will is always centered on love, justice, and compassion for all people. This is a continuous process, not a quick fix, requiring regular self-reflection and openness to God's guidance. When we see an immigrant, especially one who is undocumented, we are called to see a neighbor, a fellow human being made in God's image, deserving of dignity and care.
Just as the Good Samaritan didn't ask for papers or judge the man's past, we are called to extend mercy and practical help. This could mean advocating for just policies that uphold human dignity, volunteering at local aid organizations that serve all immigrants regardless of status, offering practical assistance like food or shelter, or simply extending friendship and hospitality. It means stepping out of our comfort zones and truly living out the command to "love your neighbor as yourself."
Let us strive to be Good Samaritans in a world that desperately needs them, reflecting God's boundless love to every person, especially those who are new among us