Happy May Day (and International Worker's Day)! I'm very pleased to feature this conversation with Alexia Salvatierra, a pastor and key national leader for immigration reform in the United States. Her work over the past 30 years, including with the Evangelical Immigration Table, has influenced national policy and intersected countless lives at the local level. Watch for an upcoming article from Alexia to be featured in Leadership Journal, advancing the ministry/immigration conversation. -Paul
Paul: Stereotypically, what are the biggest evangelical misconceptions about immigration? How can we educate around those?
Alexia: Evangelicals often share the same misconceptions of the general public. Most people who don't have regular contact with the immigration system assume that it is similar to the system which was in place when many of our grandparents arrived. Until 1924, there were no immigration quotas and few restrictions. We were the land of opportunity for many young people seeking for freedom and a better life. Now, only very specific and limited categories of people can apply to immigrate. The vast majority of people interested in immigrating to the United States have no line to stand in. This is particularly true for young people who were brought to this country as small children. Even if these young people fit into a qualifying category (e.g. immediate relatives who are American citizens), they are affected by a law passed in 1995 which mandates that anyone who has been in this country without legal status for more than a year must return to their home country for 10 years before being considered for immigration.
The categories determining immigration eligibility are often illogical. For example, over the history of the U.S., we have imported the vast majority of our agricultural workforce. (Slavery was a giant program to import agricultural labor.) However, since 1995, we only allow 5,000 visas per year for all unskilled labor, including all agricultural labor. (In comparison, in 1910, 5,000 individuals, primarily low-skilled workers, entered per day.) As Richard Land, former president of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) says, we gesture "come on in" with one hand and "stay back" with the other.
Another common misconception is that undocumented immigrants are a drain on our economic system. The Social Security administration estimates that 75% of undocumented immigrants use a false social security number. The withdrawals from those numbers are placed into a special account (an average of $8 to $12 billion per year) which then goes back into our Social Security system. Those who use the false numbers will never be able to collect on any of the funds deducted from their paychecks—even if they later obtain legal status. The IRS has special income tax-paying options for undocumented workers as well as small business owners. Immigrants start small businesses at nearly double the rate of native born citizens. National Academy of Science's classic 1997 study reported that the average immigrant will contribute $80,000 more in taxes than they receive in benefits. The only government benefits available to undocumented families are public education and emergency health care. Public education is an investment in children and youth which equips them to contribute more effectively to our society. Emergency health care is often the most expensive form of health care but is often the only option available to families living in the shadows.
Evangelicals are legitimately concerned about colluding with acts of disrespect for the law of the land.
The major concern that evangelicals have about illegal immigration is not strictly a misconception. We are legitimately concerned about colluding with acts of disrespect for the law of the land. Undocumented immigrants have violated the law and should receive some sort of penalty. However, many evangelicals are not aware of the arbitrary and often unreasonable severity of current penalties. For example, if an undocumented individual uses a false permanent resident card, the legal consequences are relatively minor. However, using a false birth certificate is a felony which results in a lifetime bar to immigration without the possibility of waivers or appeals—even if the immigrant in question is married to a U.S. citizen. In most states, immigration violations are the legal equivalent of parking tickets or income tax fraud—but the penalties are far different. Immigration judges currently have very little flexibility in the sentencing process. The bi-partisan immigration bill passed last year in the Senate (but not in the House of Representatives) would have restored judicial discretion.
The evidence which counteracts the misconceptions is simple, clear, and factual. The challenge is not the presentation of the evidence but rather the willingness of the public to pay attention. Non-immigrants often become truly interested in the issue only when they hear stories of anguish and unfairness first hand from immigrants whom they know and trust.
So often, this issue divides "conservative" and "progressive" Christians. What's the best common ground to move forward for people of conflicting opinions?
Christians have been critically important to our national progress on this issue to date precisely because we have been able to call believers on both sides of the aisle to focus on the common good—to place our allegiance to Jesus above our political loyalties.
Immigration has not always been a partisan issue. The comprehensive immigration reform bills proposed in 2007 and 2013 were designed and sponsored by equal teams of Republicans and Democrats. Both progressive and conservative think tanks have proposed similar models for a sane, effective, just, and humane immigration system. The recent Republican legislative retreat in the House developed principles for immigration legislation that echo the Senate legislation. Of course, there are differences between the proposals but they are not far apart and both sides have expressed the willingness to compromise. The primary barrier to immigration reform is neither the analysis of the problem nor the content of the solution; the obstacle is merely political maneuvering. Christians have been critically important to our national progress on this issue to date precisely because we have been able to call believers on both sides of the aisle to focus on the common good—to place our allegiance to Jesus above our political loyalties.
Speak to us as a pastor for a moment. How is the church uniquely poised to welcome and serve immigrants?
In 2007, the McCain-Kennedy proposed legislation for comprehensive immigration reform was submitted to a CBS national survey. Over 70% of the respondents supported the proposed legislation. However, the legislation failed because the calls to legislators were 50-1 against. The average American never calls their legislator unless it affects them directly; the suffering of immigrants just doesn't affect the majority of Americans directly enough to move them to call. The only reason why we have come this far towards reforming our broken immigration system is that the only group in our society who is mandated to care passionately about the wellbeing of people who are not us has stepped up to the plate. The national Evangelical Immigration Table has powerfully demonstrated the love of Jesus to the nation. When immigrant and non-immigrant Christians come together to respond to the suffering of immigrant families, we have an Ephesians 2:14-18 experience. The wall of hostility that we see in the secular world is torn down. There is an exchange of hope and passion—non-immigrants awaken to the need and immigrants feel hope because they learn that they are not alone. The result is John 17:21—the world knows that Jesus has come because of the unity of his followers.
The witness of the church from the beginning has been rooted in our welcoming of those whom the world rejects—outsiders and sinners.
Of course, the unique role of the church involves more than just advocacy for immigrants. Advocacy must be the outgrowth of a full and vital response to the needs and opportunities presented by immigrants. Immigration brings the mission field to our doorsteps. When we respond to the opportunity with all our hearts, souls and lives are saved. We could even say that hospitality is at the core of the Gospel. Jesus paid the ultimate price in order to be able to welcome us into the kingdom. His call to his disciples to follow in his footsteps is uncompromising—"I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matthew 25:35). The witness of the church from the beginning has been rooted in our welcoming of those whom the world rejects—outsiders and sinners.
Any learned wisdom from your own ministry that other pastors can benefit from?
We in the U.S. need, in many ways, to receive the ministry of immigrants.
First, it's important to recognize that ministry to immigrants is not a one-way street. Hebrews 13:1-2 reminds us that when we welcome strangers, we may be receiving angels in disguise. The biblical words translated as "angels" refers to more than just celestial beings. Angels in Scripture are messengers of God come to bring a blessing. We in the U.S. need, in many ways, to receive the ministry of immigrants. From family values to the readiness to sacrifice, believers from other cultures are bringing gifts that our country desperately needs. If you humble yourself and open your eyes and heart, you will receive inspiration and support from the immigrants in our midst.
We need to pray as fervently for our leaders as we do for the sick if we want our communities to be healed.
Secondly, it's important to practice public policy advocacy in a way that is fully biblical. The Evangelical Immigration Table has developed programs that allow us to minister well to our legislators, calling them to do what God has called them to do. Roughly 88% of our Congress claims Christ. They need discipling and encouragement. They need chaplaincy on the field of the battle for justice—the process of giving moral and spiritual courage to those on the front lines. We need to pray as fervently for our leaders as we do for the sick if we want our communities to be healed.
What is one thing that local church leaders can do to serve immigrants in their neighborhood?
First, partner with immigrant pastors and congregations. In most places in the country, immigrant pastors are serving their flock faithfully but they could really use the resources and support of their non-immigrant brothers and sisters. It's a healing balm for immigrants to experience real respect from non-immigrants, as immigrants are often wounded by discrimination and prejudice.
Immigrant leaders will let you know what they need—but the most common needs that you could prepare to serve are for "bridges." Immigrants need English as a Second Language, help with parenting children who are being exposed to U.S. culture, assistance in understanding and navigating our system, access to reliable service providers (such as lawyers), and opportunities to contribute their gifts.
You've represented our Christian community well at the highest levels of national leadership. What have you learned about being a voice of faith in public dialogue?
We so easily become functional atheists when we enter into the public arena. "Professionals" aren't supposed to speak as if God is real or pray informally in public. When Rev. Martin Luther King gave his I Have a Dream speech, he quoted Isaiah—and the nation resonated with the spiritual power in the words even if they were unfamiliar. We must not be afraid to be who we are; in fact, that's the only way that God can accomplish his full will through us. Of course, we must be both bold and humble at the same time. Humility is an accurate response to human limitations. I keep in mind the moment when Martin Luther stood before the Pope and said "Here I stand. I can do nothing else. God help me." That vulnerability and honesty makes it possible for people to hear the power of the Word coming through us—so that any offense is the offense of Christ and not the offense of arrogance.
What has your work in this area taught you? How has your own spirit grown from your work with the immigrant community?
I was born in Los Angeles and so were my parents. My grandparents were the immigrant generation in our family. Working and ministering with immigrants has connected me more deeply to my roots, which has helped me to draw nourishment from my roots. It also constantly reminds me that we are all migrants on this earth which helps me to hold more lightly to the things of this world and to honor with gratitude the temporary gifts that come our way.
Paul Pastor is associate editor of Leadership Journal.
