Vol. 9, No. 1 (Spring 2011)
The theme of the spring 2011 issue of The Review of Faith & International Affairs is "Christian Perspectives on US Immigration Policy." The issue presents essays by a diverse range of Christian leaders who participated in a series of three panels held in Washington DC during the fall of 2010.
Christian Conflict and Consensus in the Immigration Debate
Ruth Melkonian-Hoover Wednesday, 16 February 2011
American Christianity already plays a central role in the lives of many millions of immigrants in the United States, and it can and should contribute constructively to the urgent need for practical improvements in US immigration policy. [FREE]
Read more: Christian Conflict and Consensus in the Immigration Debate
Immigration and the Economy: Beyond the Zero-Sum Game
Galen Carey Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Throughout our nation's history, immigration has been closely correlated with economic growth. Immigrants and native-born Americans play complementary roles in the American economy, rather than directly competing for the same jobs.
Read more: Immigration and the Economy: Beyond the Zero-Sum Game
A Judeo-Christian Approach to "Comprehensive" Immigration Reform
Carol Swain Wednesday, 16 February 2011
An authentic Judeo-Christian approach to reform should recognize the context of the scriptures and respect the rule of law. Truly comprehensive immigration reform must address a host of issues including birthright, citizenship, and family reunification.
Read more: A Judeo-Christian Approach to "Comprehensive" Immigration Reform
Immigration and Free Market Morality: A Christian Perspective
James Edwards Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Five biblical principles have significant bearing on the immigration issue. God gives Christians the power to create wealth; Christians ought to love their neighbors; God holds Christians accountable for business practices; workers deserve a fair wage; and, authorities should be obeyed and respected.
Read more: Immigration and Free Market Morality: A Christian Perspective
A Just, Fair, and Compassionate Immigration Policy
Richard Land Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Comprehensive immigration reform should rest on three broad pillars: securing the border, enforcing immigration laws within the country, and providing multiple paths to legal citizenship and a guest-worker program. [FREE]
Read more: A Just, Fair, and Compassionate Immigration Policy
A Christian Dialogue on Immigration and the Workforce
Galen Carey, Carol Swain, James Edwards, Richard Land, Michel Martin Wednesday, 16 February 2011
To what degree might an expansive immigration policy suppress wages or limit opportunities for workers in the United States? There is some competition between low‑skilled American workers and undocumented immigrants, and racism and poverty exacerbate anti-immigrant sentiments.
Read more: A Christian Dialogue on Immigration and the Workforce
Security & Immigration: What is the State's Duty under God?
Mark Tooley Wednesday, 16 February 2011
The institutional church should be cautious about promoting legislative proposals as part of a larger agenda of political coalition building. Churches might more charitably and helpfully remind their members of broad principles that should guide our national conversation.
Read more: Security & Immigration: What is the State's Duty under God?
Immigration & Security: Public Policy and Christian Ethics
Jen Smyers Wednesday, 16 February 2011
The best strategy to alleviate pressures on U.S. borders is to reform the immigration visa system. Christians should support a system in which effective and humane enforcement is joined with legal structures that are responsive to our economy and to the integrity of the family unit.
Read more: Immigration & Security: Public Policy and Christian Ethics
Domestic Politics with Global Consequences: International Implications of Anti-immigrant Fervor
Kyle Longley Wednesday, 16 February 2011
In addition to affecting America's international standing and its security interests, Arizona's SB 1070 law raises moral issues, and the faith community should denounce anti-immigrant violence, irresponsible rhetoric, and unjust immigration policies.
The Ethical Imperative for Reform of the US Immigration System
Mathew Staver Wednesday, 16 February 2011
The crisis in Arizona over immigration is the result of a failed immigration policy at the federal level. A just immigration policy should begin with securing, not closing, U.S. borders. It should enforce the laws and offer the opportunity for earned legal status.
Read more: The Ethical Imperative for Reform of the US Immigration System
A Christian Dialogue on Immigration and Security
Mark Tooley, Jen Smyers, Kyle Longley, Mathew Staver, Galen Carey Wednesday, 16 February 2011
The government's primary responsibility is to protect the people over which it has jurisdiction, and that includes enforcing the borders and having immigration laws that can be upheld justly and compassionately.
The Role of the Catholic Church in Immigrant Integration
J. Kevin Appleby Wednesday, 16 February 2011
The Catholic Church is itself an immigrant church and it has helped integrate new immigrants into American society through services, education, advocacy, and solidarity. As churches integrate new immigrants into their religious practices, they do so in a uniquely American way.
Read more: The Role of the Catholic Church in Immigrant Integration
Immigration, Integration, and National Identity: Making the Case for a Hispanic Evangelical Contribution
Gabriel Salguero Wednesday, 16 February 2011
The two dominant narratives regarding immigration focus on values, principles, and the oughtness of our national identity. Therefore, citizen faith leaders have a critical stake in the conversation; they should counter the dominant narrative that fosters anxiety about immigrants.
A Christian Perspective on Immigrant Integration
Jenny Yang Wednesday, 16 February 2011
The focus of the immigration debate often neglects the vital question of immigrant integration. Government can promote successful integration by partnering with community-based and faith-based organizations, and churches should reach out to immigrants.
The American Faith Community and a Just Integration Strategy
Charles Olmeda Wednesday, 16 February 2011
The faith community should address the polarizing issue of immigration reform. The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) proposes a "just integration strategy" that secures the borders, deports criminals, and provides pathways to integration.
Read more: The American Faith Community and a Just Integration Strategy
A Christian Dialogue on Immigration and Social Integration
J. Kevin Appleby, Gabriel Salguero, Jenny Yang, Charles Olmeda, Kim Lawton Wednesday, 16 February 2011
National religious leaders have promoted comprehensive immigration reform, but people in the pew have mixed views on immigration policy and integration. Immigration law should be fixed in ways that are consistent with moral principles common to people of other faiths or no professed faith.
Read more: A Christian Dialogue on Immigration and Social Integration
Complementary Critiques: Two Biblical Scholars Tackle the Immigration Debate
James Frank Wednesday, 16 February 2011
A review of James K. Hoffmeier, The Immigration Crisis: Immigrants, Aliens, and the Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2009) and M. Daniel Carroll R., Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008).
Read more: Complementary Critiques: Two Biblical Scholars Tackle the Immigration Debate