Opinion
By Judge John Marshall Meisburg, Jr., 5-16-25
Pope Leo XIV apparently agrees with Pope Francis that America should just welcome the whole world into our country, legal or not, and that President Trump is wrong to build walls on our border, and deport illegal aliens.
But, the Pope is patently wrong from both a Biblical /spiritual and political perspective. The Vatican itself has a wall around it for security.
The Bible in Leviticus 19:13 say that foreigners (“strangers” or sojourners”) residing within the land must be treated with fairness, kindness and respect. And this is the verse that the Pope and the liberals quote about immigration. But, that verse has been taken out of context.
First of all, the term “stranger” as used in that verse refers to the concept of legal immigrants who are obeying the laws of the land and are in the process of becoming a naturalized citizen. In ancient Israel, strangers became citizens by actually converting to the religion of Judaism; they had a duty to do so if they wanted to be citizens of Israel.
Secondly, the Bible as a whole is also very clear that all immigrants, legal or illegal, must obey the laws of the land. Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14. The most important law that they must follow in America is the law that requires them to meet certain standards to be a legal immigrant. Illegal immigration is therefore a sin before God, and the Pope should know this! To take one verse from Leviticus out of context is wholly wrong, and is “sloppy agape.” We are to love our fellow man (including immigrants), but we are also to love God and His Word, and law and order. Submission to authority is one of the most important Biblical principles. Romans 13. And, Righteousness and Justice are pillars around the throne of God. Psalm 89:14. What we need is tough love, not sloppy agape! To allow illegal immigration is also an affront to, and very unfair to, all of the legal immigrants who scrupulously followed all the immigration laws to become citizens!
Third, the whole concept of nations and national borders is also very Biblical. God created nations (like Israel), and says that they have a right to borders and laws governing their borders. Acts 17:24-26; Exodus 22:31; Deuteronomy 32:8; Psalm 33; Numbers 32:17; Numbers 34:1-12. God even says that one major blessing is to have “safe borders”; the Bible says “He strengthens the bars of your gates, and blesses your people within you.” Psalm 147:13.
Some immigrants, of course, have a good motive to come to America, like to flee religious or political persecution (and they must prove their case). But many do not, and are vicious criminals who threaten the safety of the people of our land, as President Trump has said many times. And, 21 million illegal immigrants have placed a terrible financial burden on our country, and have strained our medical and educational systems to the limit. So, the USA has a very legitimate reason to pass and enforce immigration laws that must be followed for the safety, security and financial stability of America.
Finally, the Bible is clear that God himself has standards of faith and righteousness that must be followed in order to enter the Holy Land of Heaven. There are walls to Heaven, and a strong gate: one way in through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; the right way. John 14:6; Matthew 7:13-14. So, Heaven itself has a
strong immigration policy! Similarly, nations have borders and walls and laws that require certain actions in order to enter a country legally and become a citizen. To deny this is to deny the concept of law and order that is essential to Heaven and the nations of the world. Only those willing to give up their allegiance to another country and follow all our laws should be allowed to immigrate to America, just as only those willing to give up their allegiance to Satan and sin (and follow the laws of God) may enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR- JUDGE JOHN MARSHALL MEISBURG JR.
Judge John Marshall Meisburg, Jr., was a U.S. Administrative Law Judge with the Social Security Administration for 26 years in Jacksonville, Florida. He retired as a judge in 2021 and is now practicing law in Fernandina Beach. He has been married for 44 years to Dr. Denise Meisburg, a Christian counselor. They have six children and 11 grandchildren. Prior to being a judge, he was a lawyer with the Federal government for 23 years, serving in all three branches of the government, with the U.S. District Court, EEOC, Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Special Counsel and FDIC. He was in the private law practice one year in Washington, D.C. and filed the lawsuit that became the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case on sexual harassment. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Kentucky, and a Juris Doctor law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. He is a member of the Bar of Florida and Kentucky. He is a lifelong Christian, being raised in the Baptist faith in Louisville, Kentucky. He was an Elder at New Life Christian Fellowship in Jacksonville where he taught Sunday School, the Jewish Roots of the Faith and the Christian Heritage of America. He was a leader of both the National Day of Prayer and the House of Prayer in Jacksonville for over ten years. He has published 12 books relating to Christian and legal issues. He is now a member of Living Waters World Outreach Center in Fernandina Beach, where he serves in the prayer and home group ministry, and is a member of the Board of Directors for Faith Christian Academy. He is now an Honored Listee in the Marquis Who’s Who in America.
The views expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Citizens Journal Florida
