When you conduct a reality check it's not even an immigration crisis. No, the use of that term is a diversion tactic to portray the American population as cold hearted, racist, and intolerant of people unlike us, especially those from developing nations. The truth is that America welcomes in the neighborhood of 1,000,000+ immigrants every year, not counting the the 11,000,000 illegal aliens living in our borders in 2015. The crisis in America today, you know, the one that has our government shut down and is the lead in every media outlet, is a two headed monster actually connected to almost every subtext of American life---
1. The crisis of illegal aliens.
2. The crisis of an government bureaucracy that cannot solve problems.
The crisis of illegal aliens.
While my heart goes out to the Dreamers and those granted special privileges under the DACA policy (please Google Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) the operative term in my response to them is the word "illegal". It truly breaks my heart that their parent's brought them into the United State of America in circumstances that contravene the laws of our nation. I would probably support extension of the DACA policy in order to provide benefit to them in navigating our pathway to citizenship. But, they are here illegally. My Christian faith reminds me that our God is a just God and that justice is a concept that our citizens must acknowledge and obey. Yes, I am illegal at times, especially when in the car. But, I know that if my illegal speeds result in my apprehension I will have to pay the price of my illegal activity. Granted, the penalty for speeding isn't to be deported or to lose my place in the long line of those dreaming about citizenship. But, it is the concept of justice. We certainly must pray and serve those in such sorrowful illegal circumstances. But, justice must be served as well. And, we believers, while having a heart for those in such deplorable circumstances, mus preserve justice and prayerful support of our government.
An out-of-control government bureaucracy that cannot solve problems.
Sadly, our government system is bloated and inefficient. Today more people work for governments than for the manufacturing sector of our economy. Legislators on both sides of the aisle agree that our national immigration system is both ineffective and inefficient. We have a pathway to citizenship but it is complex and difficult for people unfamiliar with our language and traditions to navigate. it is a quagmire of legalese that refugees and genuine immigrants do not understand or cannot interpret.
Two realities govern this inadequate system: (1) a government bureaucracy that thrives and sustains itself on inaction, and (2) a legislative branch of government that cannot get anything done. Of course, my personal biases get in the way here. in my opinion legislative term limits would help to modify this culture of inaction. The United States Senate serving today is the oldest and most immovable legislative body in American history. The recent shut-down of the Federal Government is evidence of their hard partisan stances, their political agendas, and their unwillingness to lead the nation. Perhaps the Convention of States which proposes legislative term limits is an option we should all consider. "We the people" may need to be heard on these issues.
God expects everything to be done in order. I may be stretching it to some degree, but that includes our politics and governance as well. And, things are out of order right now. Honestly, government aggravates me right now, from the President right on down through the local minions at the Social Security office. Then I read Romans 13 and 1 Timothy 2:1-2, again, and my aggravation dissolves somewhat. I must be subject to the governing authorities and pray---
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. Therefore whoever resists
the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the
one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is
God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the
sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on
the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but
also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the
authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to
them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to
whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Romans 13:1-7, ESV
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be
made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a
peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV
Sure, I can weasel and parse myself around those powerful words. But, for me, it is addressed to "every person", which means me and every other living, breathing human, illegals as well. We can know and affirm that every authority is appointed by Sovereign God. My prayer for the authorities is one of Paul's "First of all..." statements, which elevates it on my priority list. Do I like this government or the ones who lead it, how it manages the immigration system , or any system of that matter? Maybe not. But, I can cover them in prayer and be subject to them even when I disagree.
The real crisis isn't about whether or not we are open to people desiring American citizenship. We welcome immigrants. It's really about those who defy the laws of our nation and a system that needs a serious make-over.
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