This question needs both to be put in context and to be clarified. We are answering the questions and challenges collected by the late Tom Gilson on TheStream. As originally posted the question is:
“Hypocrite! If you love like you say God tells you to love, why don’t you immigrants coming in?“
So first off, we need to decide what the actual question is. The phrase “why don’t you [ ] immigrants coming in?” is missing a verb. Why don’t we what? Want? Allow? Assist? Since the United States allows immigrants to come in once approved, and there are a number of Christian charities that assist immigrants who come, I will answer the question “Why don’t you want immigrants coming in the United States?” And I will also address the charge of hypocrisy.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. There are a number of charges and accusations made about what people do in response to, and how they feel about, immigrants. The elephant in the room is the failure to specify, or differentiate between, legal aliens and illegal aliens. The left is so dedicated to hiding the difference, they don’t even want you using the term “illegal alien.” They want you to call them “undocumented” migrants or workers. But the United States government itself uses the term “illegal alien” in 8 U.S.C. § 1365(b). So the left’s preference for “undocumented” is really nothing more than a blatant Orwellian attempt to manipulate language, which in turn influences beliefs, perceptions and how you think and feel about the manipulated concept.
There are two types of immigrants we’re talking about here—those who have come to the U.S. legally and those who have come illegally. The latter group bypasses laws, protocols and lines to gain entry illegally without the necessary effort that others must work hard for and sometimes wait years. So the question is a two-part question:
Why don’t you want legal aliens to come in?
Why don’t you want illegal aliens to come in?
Let’s start with the first:
Why don’t you want legal aliens to come in?
The person asking this is mistaken. We (meaning Christians in general) have no problems with aliens who come legally to the United States. As noted above[1] by the many Christian charities who assist those who come legally.
Why don’t you want illegal aliens to come in?
A better question would be: Why do so many Democrats want not legal, but illegal, immigrants to invade our country? Could it be that they know their policies are destroying America and, therefore, reasonable Americans will not vote for them? (That’s why they lost the 2024 and 2016 elections and had to steal the 2020 presidential election.) Therefore, to have any hopes of winning a presidential election, they have to import new voters, pay them off with benefits like free housing, medical, food, school, etc. in an effort to buy votes from people who are not American but whom Democrats want to allow to vote. But I digress. Let’s get back to the question.
Why don’t you want illegal immigrants to come in? The answer to this should be obvious and is underscored by the fact that those who want them to come in don’t want them called “illegal aliens” or “illegal immigrants”, as noted above. They want them called “undocumented.” Since this is a genuine question for many people, it is not pedantic, but rather necessary, to list the reasons why Christians and every law abiding citizen should not want illegal aliens to come into the country.
What’s the problem with Illegal Immigrants?
1. Illegal aliens enter illegally (or overstay their visas).
Must I really explain why it is not desirable for people to commit acts that are illegal?
Should illegal aliens be allowed to break our laws? Should they be allowed to deal drugs, steal, rape, traffic children, and murder as some have done? If they should not be allowed to break our laws, why do some want to allow them to break the laws of entry into the U.S.? Further, many don’t even want these violent criminal illegal aliens deported. Witness what is currently happening in Minnesota. (See the foot notes 3 and 4 if you’re unaware of what’s happening in Minnesota.)
2. Illegal aliens steal resources from those to whom they rightfully belong
Once the illegal immigrants show up, many want freebies: free housing, free food, free healthcare. They want jobs without being qualified. Prime examples of this are states like California giving Commercial Driver Licenses to those who can’t read or speak English. This is a recipe for disaster. Why should illegal immigrants be given resources that should go to our brave veterans? Why should taxpayer money be used to house, feed, pay legal fees, and school their children when they shouldn’t even be here?[2]
3. Criminal illegal aliens are a danger to U.S. citizens and residents
I have been speaking of all illegal aliens, but let me focus in on criminal illegal aliens—those who have committed felonies like drug dealing, child trafficking, theft, murder or rape. Such are the types that the Trump administration is targeting and who DHS is currently seeking to remove from the country. Most people want felons locked up. They want people who poison our kids with drugs or who steal, rape and kill to face justice. Yet this is not what many Democrats want for criminal illegal aliens who are currently being targeted for justice—meaning removal from the country. Why do you suppose that is? Why do some think it is okay for people to illegally enter the country, commit crimes, and then face no penalty for it? Is that your idea of justice? Is that your idea of “fair?” Can regular American citizens commit crimes and there be no penalty for it?
If someone killed a member of your family through fentanyl-laced drugs, or raped a family member, would you want justice? Or would you misapply Jesus’ teaching about “turning the other cheek” and let thieves, drug dealers, rapists and killers go free? Christians don’t want criminal illegal aliens removed from because they’re from another country. Christians want them removed because they’re criminals here illegally and are a danger to everyone around them. We’d like to see justice served. (Though, for many, simple deportation is far from the real justice they deserve.) For those thinking fairly and rationally, this is obvious.
They Hypocrisy charge
The question begins with, “Hypocrite! If you love like you say God tells you to love.” So how does God tell us to love aliens? We are to treat them fairly – like a native-born citizen. They don’t get special privileges, nor are they to be discriminated against:
“The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” (Lev 19:34)
“You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.'” (Lev 24:22)
“The community is to have the same rules for you and for the alien living among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You and the alien shall be the same before the LORD” (Num 15:15)
“‘But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the LORD, and that person must be cut off from his people.” (Num 15:30)
So we are to follow the golden rule “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19.18), and not show partiality. Thus “loving as God tells us” means treating the illegal aliens as we want to be treated and making them subject to the same laws we are subject to. This includes matters of sin and justice. If an alien sins, or breaks the law, just like a citizen, they must face the same punishment, whether from God (for sin) or the legal system (for breaking the law). God does not say an illegal alien who breaks the law is immune from punishment. Rather, an illegal alien is subject to the same laws of justice that a regular citizen is. So just as it is illegal for me, a citizen, to go to a country where I have no visa or authorization to enter, if I were to illegally enter, I should expect to be arrested by that country. Likewise, it is illegal for an alien who has no visa or authorization to enter the U.S., and, if they do so, they should expect to be arrested by the U.S. authorities if they attempt to. That is what the scripture says. If I break a law as a citizen, I must face punishment. If an alien (here legally or not) breaks the law, they must also face punishment. That’s what the scripture says. That’s what “loving as God tells us” is. So where’s the hypocrisy? It’s not on the side of the Christians.
They Real Hypocrisy
The real hypocrisy is from those who claim to support open border policies but don’t want to deal with its effects. The hypocrisy is from those who don’t actually want illegal aliens living in their backyards, even though they claim to live in a sanctuary city. Examples of such hypocritical people are the rich liberals of Martha’s Vineyard. They posted signs in businesses that claimed that the city was a sanctuary city for illegal aliens.
But when push came to shove and governor Ron DeSantis shipped them 50 migrants who had come illegally into his state, what did they do? They made sure they were removed by the military within 48 hours. A number of commentators noted—typically with sarcasm—the hypocrisy of the very rich Martha Vineyard residents who claimed to live in a sanctuary city, but couldn’t get illegal aliens out fast enough when they arrived at their doorstep.
The following is a post and three video clips pointing out the hypocrisy of such open border supporters, who quickly removed illegal aliens from their community, including comments by Tucker Carlson before he went off the rails.
Hannity 9/15/2022
Rich Liberals deport Martha’s Vineyard Illegal Immigrants after just 48 hours –
9/20/2022 YouTube Archive
Tucker Carlson Tonight 9/15/2022
Are we a Nation of Laws?
In the pledge of allegiance, we pledge allegiance to the American Republic, not just a democracy:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands …
Back in the day in grade school, we recited that pledge every day. I’m sure that practice has stopped in most schools today and likely with a formal prohibition in liberal ones. My point is this. We are a republic governed by a constitution and laws. So why do so many want to pick and choose which laws are obeyed, who has to obey the laws, and who doesn’t?
Why do illegal aliens get a pass on obeying the laws to enter lawfully? What about our courageous law enforcement officers of ICE, CBP and DHS? When we look at the tragedies in Minnesota surrounding Rene Good[3] and Alex Pretti[4] , why were there no police keeping the protesters from ICE agents? The protesters were physically obstructing the law enforcement officers from doing their job. That is illegal—a felony. Why were there no police to arrest those lawbreakers and protect ICE officers from an unruly mob in order to prevent such tragic outcomes?
Why have there been no calls from the mayor or the governor telling protesters they cannot and should not impede the work of federal ICE agents? Impeding such officers is, again, illegal. They are law enforcements officers. What do you suppose might happen if you impede the work of police as they’re trying to arrest bank robbers or drug dealers? If you do that, guess what? There’s a good chance you will be hurt—even shot. Whose fault would it be? Here’s a hint. It’s not the fault of the police officers with whom you interfered.
Why are there no charges of hypocrisy directed to those who claim to want peaceful protests and law and order but think it’s totally fine to assault ICE agents, impede federal operations, allow illegal aliens to invade our country who then steal our money in benefits and jobs? Why is there no charge of hypocrisy directed towards the governors and mayors who claim to want peace and law and order, yet are inciting the citizens to obstruct federal officers and are encouraging citizens to interfere with official enforcement actions? Such officials are essentially encouraging actions tantamount to an insurrection. And that’s supposed to be okay? Both those inciting insurrection and those interfering should face the appropriate justice. If you encourage or even condone such blatant disregard for the law and those who enforce it, you are the hypocrite.
Duane Caldwell | January 30, 2026 | Printer friendly version
Follow @rational_faith_
Notes
1. For a brief listing of Christian (and Catholic) charities helping immigrants see this ChatGPT listing accessed 1/28/26
https://chatgpt.com/s/t_697a47a5c2808191b86e1adbb6fa75c5
Back
2. For resources used by illegal aliens that should go to veterans see:
Veteran Needs vs. Illegal Alien Cost, FAIR – Fedration for American Immigration Reform, April 2020,
https://www.fairus.org/issue/publications-resources/veteran-needs-vs-illegal-alien-costs
Note: since this report was done in 2020 the total number of estimated illegal aliens is low.
Current estimates are are around 20 – 25 illegal aliens in the United States, many allowed in by the Biden administration who ignored immigration law.
Back
3. Officer Tatum highlights the illegal actions of Rene Good prior to her being shot.
“Breaking: DOJ Report CHANGES EVERYTHING In Renee Nicole Good Case”
Jan 14, 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn-T0_y5kxo
Archive
Back
4. Officer Tatum gives multiple views of the Alex Pretti shooting in these two clips, and points out the unlawful actions of Pretti (like kicking out the tail light of a federal vehicle) and others that preceded and precipitated the shooting.
“NEW Angle CHANGES EVERYTHING In the Alex Pretti Shooting Case”
Jan 26, 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dThz0tDVSk
Archive
“BREAKING: New Footage EMERGES Of Alex Pretti ATTACKING Federal Agents Before Fatal Altercation”
Jan 28, 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vUzUGRE8K4
Archive
Back
Image
X (Twitter) @flagandfire
