Reflections on Immigration

Being Vehicles of God’s Love and Grace in a Divided World —

October 9, 2024

Dear Iowa United Methodists,

“We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God…We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all.” The United Methodist Social Principles – Rights of Immigrants[1]

In August, I attended the 22nd World Methodist Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden. The theme was “On the Move.” The conference addressed global migration from a Wesleyan perspective, highlighting ways people have been on the move throughout history. Of course, most attendees, myself included, were not there for a history lesson. We wanted to learn how to respond to what is happening today. Perhaps you are asking a similar question: How should we respond as United Methodists and as Christians to the global migration that is impacting our communities?

What is happening? Why?

Around the world global migration is surging, primarily because of climate change, conflict and oppression. Those who choose to move are in search of survival and a better life. Many have no choice. 

Immigration has been a gift to our communities, with immigrants contributing to the economy and society in numerous ways. Unfortunately, the surge in migration has also put stress on receiving societies. The issue has become politicized. Here in the U.S., it has become a flashpoint.

For instance, on August 13, a man put out fliers in front of ethnic businesses in Hampton, Iowa. The fliers pictured a simulated Iowa hunting permit targeting immigrants.[2] A short time later, an internet rumor about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, got national attention. The claim was that “undocumented” Haitian immigrants were kidnapping and eating Springfield residents’ pets. This rumor is false, and local officials in Springfield have repeatedly debunked it. They have also affirmed that the Haitian immigrants in Springfield are there legally and contributing greatly to that community. Still, the false claims continue to be used to stir up anger against immigrants for political ends.

These kinds of statements and actions raise the possibility of violence against immigrants. Over the course of the weeks that followed the rumor about Springfield, their schools received bomb threats. A vandal threw acid on a woman’s car. Eventually, the governor authorized troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol to provide added security in school buildings. 

What happened in Springfield and in Hampton are examples of violent and dehumanizing speech that creates a sense of disgust toward its victims. Researchers have shown that when people feel disgust or revulsion toward a person or group, it is easier to rationalize violence. Note this quote from the writer Bryn Nelson from an article in “Scientific American.” Nelson is talking about terrorism, but the same concept can apply to dehumanizing and violent speech:

“Dehumanizing and vilifying a person or group of people can provoke what scholars and law enforcement officials call stochastic terrorism, in which ideologically driven hate speech increases the likelihood that people will violently and unpredictably attack the targets of vicious claims. At its core, stochastic terrorism exploits one of our strongest and most complicated emotions: disgust.”[3]

What does Scripture and our United Methodist tradition say?

One of the most iconic biblical stories of migration is the Exodus story. God used Moses to lead the Israelites out of oppression in Egypt. The Israelites migrated to a new land. There, God gave them directives about how to live. Those directives included the “Ten Commandments,” which appear in various forms in Exodus and Deuteronomy, and the “Holiness Code” in Leviticus. The Holiness Code, in particular, was intended to teach the Israelites how to live in holy relationship with God and with others. It includes ethical imperatives about how to treat immigrants:

“When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God,” (Leviticus 19:33 NRSVUE).

God reminds them of their own history as immigrants. Then, God calls them to have compassion for others who have found themselves in the same place. It is interesting that the directive about immigrants follows a directive about how to treat the neighbor in verse 18. Note the similarity in language: 

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18 NRSVUE)

“You shall love the alien as yourself for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:33 NRSVUE)

Both passages end by naming the position and authority of God: “I am the Lord.” By God’s authority and command, alien and neighbor should be treated alike. Both deserve love.

What should we look for?

Pay attention to who is chosen as a target. Recognize when rumors or disinformation campaigns target People of Color or other marginalized groups. For instance, language that demonizes Black and Brown immigrants, while celebrating or remaining neutral about those who emigrate from predominantly White countries is inherently racist. 

Also, watch for language that dehumanizes—for instance referring to groups of people as “vermin,” “filth,” “poison,” or “monsters.” Sadly, these are real and current examples. Historically, such language has been a prelude to horrific violence, including genocides and mass shootings.

What can we do?

  • Reach out to and offer care to immigrants. These are traumatic and frightening times for immigrants and their families. Reach out to your immigrant siblings in support. Ask about ways you can help, or simply commit to regularly praying for them. 
  • Self-Care. If you are being targeted because of your immigration status, find support systems and focus on self-care. Trauma takes a toll on the body, as well as the mind, and the trauma may come in layers. Some may experience personally traumatic events while at the same time experiencing communal trauma.
  • Make an effort to celebrate cultures. Recognizing and celebrating diverse cultures communicates that we value all people. Our clergy and laity from diverse countries are a gift to our church.
  • Support an organization that works with and for immigrants. You might learn about the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ) and consider supporting this ministry. The roots of this organization are in The United Methodist Church and is a vital partner today. It is a legal service and advocacy organization that provides training to help immigrants understand their rights. On October 26, 2024, Iowa MMJ is working with our conference on an event helping immigrant clergy and communities know their rights and how we can work together to provide support. Look for more details on this in the coming days. 
  • Meditate on Scripture and pray. Spend the next week daily meditating on Leviticus 19:33. Based on that passage, what is God calling you to do?

Please pray with me:

Welcoming God, help us to see that global migration and immigration are not just issues. They involve people, their sense of safety, and of their own value. Help us to value all people, including those who come into our lives through migration. Help us to see the face of Christ in every face. In the name of the Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Up Next

Continue to utilize the daily prayer and Scripture reading from the Bishop’s Leadership Team. Next week, I will address Christian nationalism as a form of authoritarianism. Stay tuned.

[1] The United Methodist Church, The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2016 (Nashville, Tenn.: United Methodist Publishing House, 2016), ¶162.H

[2] Hampton Chronicle. (2024, August 13). Inflammatory Postings Appear on Hampton Businesses Overnight. Facebook.https://www.facebook.com/hamptonchronicle/posts/pfbid036S59CvFmVrSj2wxkKDfXRT1zR28Uj2fNxiWk4t8YvvDX2VVS4CD2yVTod2oCnS6Kl

[3] Nelson, Bryn. (2022, November 5). How Stochastic Terrorism Uses Disgust to Incite Violence. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-stochastic-terrorism-uses-disgust-to-incite-violence/

See all resources at Beloved Community - An Antidote to Extremism.

Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai is resident bishop of the Iowa Annual Conference and interim episcopal leader of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference teamed with Bishop David A. Bard (Michigan Annual Conference). This post is republished with permission from the Iowa Conference website.