Deportation and the Duty to Protect the Vulnerable

I'm deeply concerned about how the current deportation program is being carried out.

The urgency to act quickly seems to be prioritized over ensuring safety, particularly for vulnerable people. Especially women and children. Properly ordered love demands that we prioritize protecting the vulnerable over the strict and immediate enforcement of laws.

Now, I understand that a government’s primary duty is to its own citizens, and I recognize that this program is driven by a desire to protect us. And given that the previous administration’s immigration policies severely weakened our vetting process, it makes sense that the current administration would be worried about whether those who recently entered the country pose a threat. In light of that uncertainty, deportation is being framed as the safest course of action Removing everyone who entered unlawfully so that the process can start over with proper vetting.

I get that.

But given the sheer number of immigrants who have arrived over the past four years, it seems likely that most are not a threat. And if the US is truly a Christian nation, then we would recognize that love sometimes requires risk. Christians, in particular, should be willing to take such risks in order to welcome others. Yet, ironically, many Christians seem unwilling to do so, while non-Christians are more open to it. That’s something worth reflecting on.

Perhaps the best course of action would be to allow those who have entered in recent years to stay unless they break our laws, at which point deportation would be the appropriate response. This approach would uphold public safety while avoiding undue harm to those simply trying to build a better life.