President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order Jan. 27, that shocked the nation.
In his few weeks in office, Trump seems a man of his word. While I prayed he would not follow through with some of his proposed immigration policies, it is all quickly unfolding before us.
Trump has put policies into place regarding the refugee crisis, such as a temporary restriction immigration from seven predominately Muslim countries, a 120-day moratorium on the Refugee Admissions Program, and a block on all Syrian refugees indefinitely.
This all comes from a place of fear — a natural feeling. Terrorist attacks such as the Orlando and San Bernardino shootings make us take a step back and realize the kind of world in which we live. We fear for our safety and that of our loved ones. Remember, those shooters were not refugees from these banned countries.
According to a study done by the CATO Institute, an American citizen has a 1 in 3.64 billion chance of getting killed by a refugee. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m more afraid of being killed by a drunken driver than a refugee.
These refugees are fleeing their country because their entire families have been bombed. Do you really think they want to relive that?
Yes, I agree there needs to be a better screening process and I don’t think we need to let just anyone into our country, but why couldn’t that have been the answer?
As a “Christian” nation, I expect more.
The Lord left us this awesome and sacred book the Bible and clearly states how we are to treat this group of foreigners. Let me brief you:
Leviticus 19:33-34 reads, “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 were foreigners in Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 10:18-19 — “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.”
Is that not so evidently clear? The Lord is commanding the Israelites to treat the foreigner as if they are their own kin, because they themselves were once foreigners. As a child of immigrant parents who left their war-torn country seeking life, I cannot disregard how I came to be a U.S.-born citizen. I cannot be silent.
How can such horrifying images of children washed up on beaches not be enough to move someone’s heart?
We have the resources to aid these people, to remove them from such horrific circumstances and to save their lives. I do not believe my life is at risk helping the widows and orphans. As much as we would love to live comfortable lives, being a Christian is not supposed to be comfortable.
I have enough faith in my God that he will protect me, and if not, may his will be done because I am standing for what he has called me to do.
As Christians we are called to love. Stand up for what you claim to believe. Pray, protest and call your senators and representatives. Stand up for love.
