How does the Bible tell us to treat immigrants?

It consistently ranks among the public’s top concerns, often above the economy or the NHS. The pressure for reform is constant. The Bible is not silent on immigration, and challenges us no matter where we stand on this issue. Applying biblical examples to modern Britain is far from a simple like-for-like comparison, and Christians often reach different political conclusions. As evangelicals, our challenge is to think biblically without delegitimising others’ perspectives, although our starting point must be scripture above anything else, which is ​“God-breathed and… useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 – 17).

Here are 10 biblical truths about immigration:

1. Scripture affirms the concept of nations, seen most clearly in Israel’s distinct identity (Genesis 12:3).
2. Israel was commanded to protect the stranger from injustice – neither oppressing them (Exodus 22:21) nor corrupting justice (Deuteronomy 27:19).
3. Israel’s care for the stranger is rooted in its own history as immigrants rescued from Egypt (Exodus 23:9) and loving the stranger was clearly shown to be a strong expression of loving God (Deuteronomy 10:18 – 19).
4. The Lord also required positive provision for the stranger: leaving parts of fields unharvested (Leviticus 23:22), not beating olive trees twice to ensure there is some left for immigrants (Deuteronomy 24:20), and providing shelter (Job 31:32).
5. Foreigners were treated differently in some areas, such as exemption from debt cancellation (Deuteronomy 15:3) and charging interest (Deuteronomy 23:20).
6. Immigrants were not expected to participate in everything such as Passover (Exodus 12:48) but were expected to integrate, obey Israel’s laws, and reject idolatry (Ezekiel 14:7).
7. Christians today are called to identify with the stranger as they are ​“foreigners and strangers on earth” (Hebrews 11:13) and are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
8. Jesus treated every immigrant He came across as made in the image of God despite the impression He came only for Israel (Matthew 15:21 – 28). He also ties welcoming the stranger to welcoming Him (Matthew 25:35).
9. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows virtue can come from unexpected places, and that Jesus’ definition of neighbour was much broader than his audience expected (Luke 10:25 – 37).
10. The church in Heaven is described as a gathering of all nations, languages and ethnicities and not is tied exclusively to any culture (Revelation 7:9).

Rooted in scripture, engaged in practice

These principles are not a political manifesto – no one is proposing we introduce the provision laws found in Deuteronomy to ​“not shake the olive tree twice” – yet they reveal a consistent biblical pattern: hospitality, justice and integration. It is important to note that scripture speaks primarily of the stranger or sojourner. Making the connection to immigrants today involves an interpretive step, but the ethical principles remain highly relevant to our own discussions. Christians are called to welcome the stranger and treat them fairly. This does not equate to endorsing open borders. Instead, the question becomes how to create conditions in which those who come here are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

Immigrants are often a blessing, but hospitality and integration requires sacrifice. For Israel, this meant leaving parts of their harvest for foreigners. Today, it may mean higher taxes to support asylum seekers or investing time to build community cohesion. Integration does not happen automatically; it requires intentionality from both host communities and newcomers. Many concerns about cultural disconnection stem from communities that have felt overlooked, asked to bear most of the strain of integration, both economic and relational, without adequate support. It is understandable that these communities are worried about immigration taking further resources they need. While bigotry is all too prevalent, it does not represent the key points of dissent in our immigration conversation.

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The scale of immigration matters. More people have arrived in the UK since 1950 than in all the years between 1066 and 1950. This has been a net blessing to the UK, but it also explains why some communities feel unsettled at the pace of change. On the other side of the debate, it is also true that the towns most hostile to immigration are often those with the fewest immigrants – a sign that fear often grows where relationship is absent. Integration is always worthwhile, but it can be costly, and for too long working-class communities have shouldered that cost alone.

Balancing compassion and wisdom

If legitimate concerns about culture, cohesion, or public services are dismissed, people become more hostile, not less. A reasonable argument can be made that enabling compassion requires greater control – whether through safe legal routes, better enforcement, or caps on overall numbers. Scripture clearly calls Christians to compassion for immigrants; the debate is how government structures can best make such compassion possible. Critics of the current system argue that uncertainty around national security, integration and affordability more than any other factors undermine that aim.

As individuals, we are finite people with finite resources. Nations face the same limits. Although the UK is one of the richest countries in the world, we cannot ignore pressures on housing, schools and services. The danger is that if concerns are not addressed, the political response may become less humane. The government is already moving in this direction, with proposals such as increasing the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years. Such changes may do little to reduce immigration but will make it harder for migrants to settle, integrate and feel they belong.

Ultimately, this is not just a policy debate but a spiritual one. We need wisdom. The church has a pivotal role to reach into communities and bind us together. Christians, whatever their political outlook, must speak confidently into the public debate with voices grounded in scripture. We must treat immigrants as neighbours rather than abstractions and engage one another with humility, patience and generosity. We should be willing to challenge where needed but remain ​“quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Only then can we hope to navigate this issue in a way that honours God and upholds the dignity of all.