Commentary: Immigrants are assets

Immigration is one of the top issues for voters going into the 2024 elections. From city councils to the presidency, every politician has platitudes about immigrants and immigration. Yet, as a pastor of 23 years who has served in South Texas and now pastors a church along the border, I realize much of the extreme rhetoric around the border is overblown.

When we first moved to McAllen, our friends questioned whether we would be safe in our new city. All they had seen on TV about the southern border was immigrants climbing fences unbidden and unhindered. Their made-for-TV imaginations about the border had them envisioning a McAllen overrun with gang violence and crime. However, I feel safer here than many other places I have visited in the U.S.

Life on the border requires holding nuance. We must move beyond divisive rhetoric and fearmongering about the border. It’s devastating whenever any American is a victim of crime, and perpetrators should face justice. But it’s a misconception that immigrants disproportionately commit crime. In fact, an extensive study from the Cato Institute conducted in Texas found that immigrants, whether lawfully present or not, commit crimes at lower rates than native-born citizens.

The media portrayal of what’s happening at the border doesn’t align with our community’s experience of immigrants. Many have dedicated themselves to service, faith and generosity, contributing to their local church and beyond. Despite diverse paths to this country, they share aspirations of an American dream marked by opportunity, safety and a brighter future for their families.

In one of my early pastoral assignments, I had the privilege of meeting Roland, a hardworking undocumented individual striving to provide for his family. He worked during the day while also enrolling in GED classes at our local community college. Thanks to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Roland was able to secure a position at an alarm security company, where he has since advanced to middle management.

While Roland’s story is inspiring, it highlights the complexities of our current immigration system. Many individuals who share Roland’s work ethic and desire to contribute to society face ongoing uncertainties. Despite the abundance of job opportunities, as evidenced by numerous help-wanted signs at local businesses, our immigration laws have not been substantially updated to address these challenges. This situation leaves many in a difficult position, unable to fully participate in the workforce or society at large.

Evangelicals like me want Congress to act in ways that both ensure secure borders and treat migrants with compassion. In fact, 91% of evangelical Christians surveyed by Lifeway Research earlier this year say they’d like immigration policies that respect the God-given dignity of each person.

We should not hold an entire community responsible for the evil actions of someone who happens to share their nationality or mode of entry to the country. And in cases where some have overstayed their visa or crossed our border unlawfully, many have demonstrated over the years they have been in our country that their intention is to live peacefully and not commit more serious offenses. In these cases, our country should allow them to pay a fine and get right with the law.

While immigration may be a challenging political issue, for evangelicals it is an easy biblical issue. We are called to love our immigrant neighbors as we love ourselves and to see them as God sees them — as fellow image bearers.

Ismael Flores is pastor of Rio Valley Nazarene Church in McAllen.