The Great Immigration Debate: Whom Shall We Welcome?
Today, we face some significant debates about immigration. There is a lot of discussion about what to do with those who are in the U.S. illegally. This debate is so sharp that people cannot even agree on the correct term for such people: “undocumented immigrants” or “illegal aliens.”
But a broader debate rages about the overall immigration issue. There are those who want the U.S. to become more lax with its immigration policy, allowing more people into this country at a quicker pace and with fewer restrictions. In fact, there are some who go so far as to say there should be no restrictions whatsoever on any immigration. On the other hand, there are those who would like to see less immigration and want to be more cautious about who is allowed to enter and reside in this land.
What teachings from the Torah and the Talmud are relevant to this topic, and how might they shape the discussion?
