President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement to deport an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants has reignited one of America’s most contentious debates. His plan, described as the “largest deportation program in American history,” reflects a decisive effort to regain control of America’s borders and restore the rule of law. Illegal immigration has long been a strain on the nation’s resources, sovereignty, and security, but under the current administration, the crisis has reached an unprecedented scale.
This is not merely a political issue; it intersects with every facet of national concern. Illegal immigration burdens public services, fuels criminal enterprises, and undermines cultural cohesion. It threatens national security, as criminal networks and even individuals on terror watchlists exploit porous borders. Historical efforts, such as Operation Wetback in 1954, illustrate the feasibility of large-scale deportation, while also serving as a cautionary tale about potential societal consequences.
Interestingly, Trump’s firm stance on immigration resonated with Hispanic voters, a demographic traditionally loyal to Democrats. In the 2024 election, Trump secured 42 percent of Hispanic votes, compared to 35 percent in 2020, with 55 percent of Hispanic men casting their ballots for him. Many voters cited concerns about inflation, crime, and immigration as critical reasons for their support. This shift underscores how immigration has become a pivotal issue, not just for conservatives but also for diverse communities across the nation.
A February 2024 Gallup poll revealed that 28% of Americans identified immigration as the nation’s most pressing issue. Christians, too, must see this issue through a biblical lens. God’s Word affirms the need for borders, lawfulness, and just governance. Compassion must never be a guise for enabling lawlessness, nor should Christians hesitate to support policies that protect their nation while upholding biblical justice.
Illegal Immigration Undermines National Security
Illegal immigration poses a severe threat to national security, creating vulnerabilities that criminals, cartels, and even terrorists exploit. In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 169 individuals on the terror watch list—a staggering increase that underscores the dangers of porous borders.
Transnational criminal organizations, such as Venezuelan gangs and Mexican cartels, thrive on the lax enforcement of immigration laws. These groups are responsible for smuggling drugs, weapons, and people, wreaking havoc on communities nationwide. The fentanyl epidemic—driven by drugs trafficked across the southern border—has devastated countless families, with overdoses reaching record highs.
Compounding these issues are sanctuary cities, which openly defy federal immigration laws. These jurisdictions shield illegal migrants, including violent offenders, from deportation. Sanctuary policies not only undermine federal authority, but also endanger law-abiding residents.
From a biblical standpoint, national security is a God-ordained responsibility of government. Romans 13:1–4 explicitly charges leaders with the duty to protect their citizens and punish wrongdoing. A government that neglects border security not only fails its people but also abdicates its divine mandate.
A Scripps News/Ipsos survey conducted in September 2024 found 54 percent of Americans supported the mass deportation of illegal immigrants. This public consensus strengthens the moral and political case for enforcing immigration laws decisively.
Preserving the Rule of Law
A nation without borders cannot uphold the rule of law. Illegal immigration directly challenges the integrity of legal frameworks, sending a dangerous message: laws can be ignored without consequence. This culture of lawlessness undermines trust in government institutions and demoralizes those who follow the legal process.
The Bible underscores the importance of law and order. Acts 17:26 affirms that God established nations and their boundaries to ensure order and flourishing. When laws are upheld, society thrives; when they are disregarded, chaos ensues. Sanctuary cities exemplify this erosion of legal accountability. By harboring illegal migrants, these jurisdictions openly defy federal mandates, further weakening the nation’s legal foundation.
Trump’s deportation plan reasserts America’s commitment to the rule of law. His decisive stance resonates with legal Hispanic voters who view border enforcement as essential for preserving national stability. Upholding immigration laws is not harsh; it is just. By ensuring that laws are respected, America can restore order and fairness within its borders.
The Economic and Social Cost of Illegal Immigration
Illegal immigrants impose an enormous financial burden on American taxpayers. The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates that illegal immigration costs $150.7 billion annually. Public services such as healthcare, education, and housing are stretched to the breaking point, diverting resources from citizens in need.
Additionally, industries like agriculture, construction, and hospitality rely on undocumented labor, driving down wages for American workers. A February 2024 Monmouth University poll revealed that 28 percent of Americans believe illegal immigrants take jobs away from citizens. This economic dynamic fosters resentment and disrupts social cohesion.
Culturally, the influx of immigrants has led to tensions in communities struggling with assimilation. Areas in South Florida, for instance, have faced cultural clashes with Haitian migrants, while Venezuelan gangs have introduced crime and instability into neighborhoods across the nation. These challenges highlight the societal costs of uncontrolled immigration.
Real-Life Stories and National Impacts
The brutal murder of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia, is a sobering reminder of the human toll of illegal immigration. On February 22, 2024, Riley was attacked and killed while jogging on campus. José Antonio Ibarra is an illegal immigrant from Venezuela and a known associate of the Tren de Aragua gang. Ibarra, who entered the U.S. illegally two years prior, was able to evade deportation due to systemic failures in immigration enforcement. Riley’s death is not just a personal tragedy—it is a scathing indictment of a government that has abdicated its responsibility to protect its citizens.
But Riley’s story is far from unique. Cities like Chicago are grappling with the devastating consequences of unchecked illegal immigration. Over the past two years, at least 30 members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang have been arrested in Chicago for crimes ranging from drug trafficking to violent assaults. Yet, shockingly, many of these criminals were released back into the community due to lenient judicial policies and sanctuary city protections. These failures expose a moral and systemic rot—a government willing to compromise its citizens’ safety to uphold policies prioritizing lawlessness over justice.
These are not merely isolated incidents but symptoms of a larger crisis. Illegal immigration erodes community trust, overburdens local resources, and disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable—particularly in working-class neighborhoods already struggling with crime and economic instability. Legal immigrants, who have endured years of bureaucratic hurdles to enter the country lawfully, often feel betrayed by a system that rewards those who defy its laws. Their frustration is justified and reflects a more profound biblical principle: the demand for impartial justice. Leviticus 19:15 commands that justice must not favor the poor or the powerful but be righteous and equitable.
The biblical mandate for justice is clear. Romans 13 charges governing authorities with the solemn duty to wield the sword in defense of the innocent and to punish evildoers. To neglect this charge is to invite chaos and lawlessness. The preventable tragedies in cases like Riley’s are the direct result of a failure to uphold this divine responsibility.
The human cost of illegal immigration is not abstract—it is visceral, personal, and devastating. Stories like Riley’s and the chaos brought by the Tren de Aragua gang in Chicago are not outliers but warnings. They reveal what happens when a nation’s leaders refuse to enforce its borders and protect its citizens.
The call to action is not only political, but moral. A nation unwilling to defend its sovereignty and uphold its laws is a nation that has lost its way. For Christians, this is not a moment for equivocation, but for clarity. Justice must be restored, not out of fear, but out of obedience to God’s design for nations and His call to protect the innocent. Without decisive reform, today’s tragedies will become the norm of tomorrow.
Establishing an America-First Immigration Policy
Beyond enforcement, America must reform its immigration system to reflect an America-First agenda. Policies should prioritize the needs of citizens, while welcoming those who contribute lawfully and meaningfully.
Key reforms include:
- Enhanced Border Security: Increased funding for surveillance technology and physical barriers in high-risk areas.
- Streamlined Legal Immigration: A merit-based system that prioritizes highly skilled workers.
- Reforming Asylum Laws: Process claims in home countries to reduce fraudulent entries.
- Nationwide E-Verify Mandates: Require employers to verify work eligibility, discouraging illegal hiring.
Such measures align with biblical principles of stewardship and governance, fulfilling the government’s responsibility to protect its people (1 Timothy 5:8).
Conclusion
Illegal immigration is not merely a political issue; it is a crisis that threatens America’s sovereignty, security, and stability. Trump’s deportation plan represents a bold and necessary step toward restoring the rule of law and protecting American citizens.
For Christians, this is a matter of conviction. Upholding borders and enforcing laws reflect God’s design for order and justice. Compassion must never override the necessity of justice, nor should sentimentality excuse lawlessness.
The 2024 election revealed a growing public demand for reform among Hispanic voters. This underscores the urgency of decisive action to secure the nation’s borders and uphold its laws.
America’s borders are a divine stewardship. Protecting them is not just a political responsibility but a moral one, rooted in obedience to God’s order for society.
