A Call to Solidarity with Immigrants
The Asian American Christian Collaborative calls all Christians to denounce rhetoric aimed at dehumanizing immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and their families in the U.S. The recent wave of anti-immigrant rhetoric, epitomized by the unfounded claims regarding Haitian migrants in Springfield, OH, is a degrading strategy of division and hatred for political gain. While the incident has been reduced to mere memes and jokes, we ought not overlook the genuine threat this harmful language poses to individuals and communities who may already feel marginalized and alienated.
As followers of Christ, we are committed to upholding the truth that every person—no matter their background—is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). In obedience to the command to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), we must speak up and be agents of justice, compassion and hospitality, standing for every person’s human dignity and societal worth.
To Remain Silent is to Betray One’s Own Faith
We cannot, in good conscience, stand by while our immigrant neighbors are systematically demonized. As Christians, we ought to push back against any political rhetoric or tactic that maligns those who often are fleeing poverty, violence, and oppression as “criminals” or “invaders.”
Statements that perpetuate harmful, racist stereotypes must be resisted. Unfortunately, the demonization of immigrants is not new; it is a persistent stain embedded in the very fabric of American history. Asian Americans were among the earliest targets of harmful rhetoric that paved the way for relentless racial targeting through laws like the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. Fears surrounding the "Yellow Peril" and "Dusky Peril" fueled further oppression, leading to more legislative attacks in the early twentieth century that were accompanied by actual violence as white mob riots terrorized Chinese, Japanese, Korean, East Indian, and Filipino communities across the nation. Today, the same racist tropes have resurfaced and are being employed for the same political purposes. While the faces and stories of the targeted communities may change, the tactics remain alarmingly consistent: scapegoating vulnerable populations for societal issues they did not create.
Toxic narratives that depict immigrants as "the other" and therefore unworthy of being treated with dignity and compassion contradict the Gospel message found in the Bible. Christians hold that every person possesses intrinsic worth as image-bearers of God, and the Scriptures are crystal clear: “You shall not oppress a foreigner” (Exodus 23:9). The call to show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2) is not a mere suggestion: it is an imperative.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph themselves were refugees fleeing political persecution. Jesus also modeled how to resist the racial/ethnic prejudice of his day by respectfully engaging the Samaritans he encountered. Through His teachings, He reminded His followers: “When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in?... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me” (Matthew 25:38, 40). His words call us to respond with love and hospitality to the most vulnerable. To do anything less is to reject Christ’s command for those who profess to follow Him.
To Confront Political Injustice is to Embrace Courageous Action in Christian Love
To only speak of love is not enough. Our faith calls for courageous and decisive action on behalf of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. The prophet Micah calls God’s people to "seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8). If this is our mandate, we must seriously examine how the immigration policies we support are aligned with the heart of God— rooted in justice, mercy, and righteousness. How we treat the immigrants in our land is a direct reflection of our understanding of God.
Therefore, we must soberly ask ourselves:
Do my words and actions have the effect of building walls of exclusion, or am I extending Christ’s hand of welcome to those in need of a home?
Do my words and actions contribute to the much-needed healing of our broken society rather than adding more division and fear?
Am I searching the entirety of the Scriptures in order to understand God's heart for mercy, righteousness and justice when I approach immigration issues in my country?
Do the political policies and leaders I support embody Christ’s command to serve “the least of these,” which includes immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers?
Our ultimate allegiance is to Christ alone, who calls us to dismantle every wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14) and to participate in living out the Kingdom of God here and now where every individual is recognized and cherished as a child of God. Therefore, supporting rhetoric and policies that have the effect of dehumanizing and persecuting immigrants represents more than a political failure: it is a profound moral and spiritual failure.
Call to Action
Join AACC as we stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors and reject their public vilification in today’s political landscape. We affirm the dignity of our immigrant brothers and sisters as fellow image-bearers of God. We are reminded of God’s unconditional love for us and are compelled to love others by advocating for the welfare of those who are marginalized and oppressed. We call on our nation to embrace just and compassionate immigration policies that reflect God’s heart for the vulnerable, ensuring that every individual is treated with respect, kindness, and dignity. Together, let us be instruments of God’s grace, demonstrating that love knows no borders and that every person is worthy of compassion and support.
Five Ways to Actively Love Our Immigrant Neighbors
Educate Yourself: Immigration policy in the United States is undoubtedly complicated. But you can grow in your understanding by taking time to learn about the history of U.S. immigration policies and their impact. Stay informed about current immigration laws, refugee crises, and the struggles immigrants face today. Listen to podcasts, attend workshops, and read articles and books that highlight immigrants’ voices and stories. Then, share what you have learned and help foster environments where these topics can be discussed in an open, empathetic, and informed way among your family, friends, church, or local community.
Speak Up: Courageously stand up against hateful language, racist stereotypes, and lies whenever and wherever you encounter them—whether at family gatherings, in casual conversations, or even within your own church community. Do not remain silent in the face of injustice. Rather, be a voice for the voiceless, firmly standing for truth, love, and compassion in every dialogue. As you engage in these important conversations, pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you in wisdom, humility and grace.
Support Immigrant Communities: Many local and global organizations are already doing impactful work to serve immigrants and refugees. Get involved by volunteering, offering your time as a mentor, assisting with English language classes, helping with job training, or providing legal aid if you have the expertise. Even small gestures, like helping with transportation or connecting individuals to community resources, can make a significant difference in someone's life. Your consistent presence and care can create lasting change in the life of your immigrant neighbor.
Be Civically Engaged: During an election year, vote your conscience and vote as you are convicted by the Holy Spirit. Also remember that the immigration issue is one that transcends any single election: it requires a sustained commitment to be rooted in the love and justice of Christ in order to wisely advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable in our communities. Be vocal and reach out to your local, state, and national representatives through calls, emails, or meetings to advocate for policies that honor the dignity of immigrant communities and seek the welfare of the oppressed.
Pray for Justice for Those in Need: Regularly lift up and pray for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Pray for policymakers to enact just and compassionate immigration policies and consider incorporating these prayers into local church services, small group meetings, or prayer vigils where community members can join in solidarity. Pray for specific immigrant families or issues each week within your church communities, and pray for the work and impact of local organizations supporting immigrants. By intentionally praying and seeking God’s direction, you can contribute to meaningful change and embody Christ’s love for all people.
Let us answer the call to embody Christ's love, justice, and mercy. As we unite our voices and actions, we can join in God’s sacred work of justice and restoration. Stand with us, for the sake of Christ and all who bear His image.
The Asian American Christian Collaborative (AACC) exists to see Asian American Christians established in their spiritual and cultural heritage. AACC is committed to amplifying the voices, issues, and histories of Asian Americans in the church and larger society. We seek to address issues pertaining to Asian American Christians while remaining grounded in the historic Christian faith, rooted in Scripture, and in communion with the global Church. To stay updated on what we are doing and how we are responding to these tragedies, sign up for our newsletter at asianamericanchristiancollaborative.com/subscribe and follow us on X, Facebook, and Instagram.