Law and Love: Balancing Justice with Christian Compassion

In today’s charged political climate, the word “illegal” has become a lightning rod in the national conversation about immigration. It’s true that those who enter the United States without following the legal process are, by definition, undocumented. But reducing an entire group of people to a single label fails to account for the complexity of their stories—and our own.

Much of the media’s focus centers on the worst examples: individuals who cross our borders while fleeing prosecution, or those who commit crimes once they arrive. This narrow narrative ignores the countless men, women, and families who make the perilous journey not to evade justice, but to seek opportunity—just as many of our ancestors did.

It’s easy to forget that America’s identity has always been shaped by immigration. The Statue of Liberty stands not as a symbol of exclusion, but as a beacon of welcome. Its famous inscription reads: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” These are the people who helped build this nation—people who arrived with nothing but determination, faith, and a hope for a better life.

Unfortunately, our modern discourse often lacks this perspective. Stories of undocumented immigrants contributing positively to our society—working essential jobs, paying taxes, serving in our communities—rarely make headlines. Instead, we are inundated with a steady stream of negative portrayals that paint all migrants with the same broad brush.

As a Christian, I believe we are called to extend compassion to the stranger, to recognize the humanity in every soul. Brevard County has on many occasions shown its compassion to visitors. These people are no different. Many who seek to enter this country have spent their life savings, left behind family and familiarity, and risked everything to arrive at our borders. Their motivations are not so different from those who crossed oceans on overcrowded ships, with no money, no food, and no certainty of what awaited them.

Yes, we are a nation of laws—and maintaining border integrity is essential. But we are also a nation of values, and compassion must remain one of them. The debate about immigration policy will continue, as it should. But in the midst of that debate, let’s not lose sight of the people behind the politics.

This is not to say that our visitors are not required to obey our laws. They are here illegally and will be treated as such. we should rise above the rhetoric and see these people in a more compassionate context.

Let’s remember who we are, and who we aspire to be.

— Alan Bergman is a member of First Baptist Church of Cocoa Beach and chairman of the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County.