In previous columns, I outlined the need for compassion and explored ways to help bring about compassionate change. The next step is to extend our compassion beyond those closest to us by trying to understand what others are going through. While everyone deserves to be treated with compassion, I will focus on one group that has been frequently in the news and is especially in need of greater compassion to illustrate my point: immigrants.
Compassion for immigrants
My purpose here is not to advocate for open borders or anarchy at the border. Rather, it is to encourage people think about immigration more compassionately. If we do that, we may be able to arrive at a better solution than the one we currently have. Because most media coverage and political discussion focus on immigration from Mexico, that will be my primary focus as well.
First, understanding the historical context is essential. Without going into great detail, a few points are particularly relevant. (1) For most of U.S. history, borders were largely open and immigrants were welcomed. History shows that once the majority of immigrants began arriving from places other than Western Europe, those borders started to close. (2) Much of what is now the western U.S. once belonged to Mexico and was taken by force. (3) Prior to the militarization of the border in the early 2000s, most immigrants came to the U.S. temporarily to earn money for their families back home. Taken together, these points suggest that today’s immigrants are not fundamentally different from our ancestors. What has changed is not the immigrants themselves, but how we treat them.
Second, the reason immigrants come to the U.S. today is no different from why they came in the past: to provide a better life for themselves and their families. This is something nearly everyone reading this column can relate to. As an expert of U.S. immigrant and crime, I can say with confidence that the overwhelming majority of immigrants do not come to the U.S. to violate the law. If their goal were to make money through criminal activity, they would likely find greater opportunities outside of the U.S.
Finally, it would be difficult to find more than a handful of people who believe immigrants who commit violent crimes should not be deported or imprisoned. These individuals are not the ones most in need of compassion. Rather, it is the good, hardworking people seeking a better life for their families. If these are the people we label as criminals, then perhaps we should question what’s wrong with the law rather than the people. There is much more that could be said about immigration, but my central point is simple: we should try to understand why people are willing to risk their lives to come to the U.S. I may not know the best immigration policy, but I do know that whatever solution we pursue must be a compassionate one.
What would Jesus do?
Many readers may respond to this column by thinking, “Oh boy, just another liberal trying to save the world.” We have become conditioned to dismiss viewpoints we disagree with by attributing them to the “crazies on the other side.” But compassion is not a political issue; for Christians, it is a moral, ethical, and religious one.
Most readers are likely old enough to remember when the phrase “What would Jesus do?” – often displayed on rubber WWJD bracelets – was popular. I always thought that was a powerful question. I would suggest a slight variation: What would Jesus say? We are often very good at convincing ourselves that our reasons for not helping others are justified. But what would Jesus say to those justifications? Could you look Jesus in the eyes and convince him that your reason for withholding compassion from a particular person or group was valid? What would Jesus say if we told him we cannot do more to help the poor or immigrants because it would hurt the economy, or because we earned our money and no one else should get it?
It is far easier to blame people for their problems, expect them to solve those problems on their own, and focus only on those closest to us. But this is the wide and easy rode that Jesus warns against in Matthew 7: “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Compassion, for everyone, not just immigrants, is the narrow gate; it is a difficult road, but it is what is expected of all Christians.
Dr. Raymond E. Barranco is professor of sociology at Mississippi State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from Louisiana State University, and his work has been published in multiple criminology and sociology journals. Dr. Barranco invites readers to send feedback and sociology-related questions you’d like him to address in this space to [email protected].
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