"You’re Not a Real Mexican"
A Jeff Foxworthy doppelganger said: “If you have insurance or a drivers license, you might not be a real Mexican.” At least that is what the illegal alien that hit my wife’s car told my mother-in-law, who is an American of Mexican heritage. The man – the third illegal alien to hit my wife’s car in the past year – told her that real Mexicans don’t have papers or carry insurance.
So I thought: why should they? Illegal Mexican aliens come to the United States daily with reckless abandon and no regard for the laws of the country – and they’re treated like royalty: free education, free health care, free social services and they’re catered to by advertisers and businesses. If the news is any indication, we as a country soon are coming to a point where something must be done … and I have been pondering the proper Christian response to this issue.
This situation is like many that face us: there is a collision between the concept of political subdivisions and the kingdom of God, which recognizes no nationalities are borders. But does that mean anarchy? What is the proper response in face on no biblical mandate (I know there are alien passages in the Pentateuch, but since we ignore the other laws we cannot exactly enforce this one).
From a practical standpoint, the United States cannot continue to support the poor of a another nation. Hospitals, schools and agencies are overcrowded and under-funded largely because of illegal aliens. Law-abiding citizens are having to pay higher insurance premiums and other fees to compensate for the influx of drivers with no insurance. And crime is skyrocketing – 21-percent of federal inmates are illegal aliens, and a majority of crimes committed in the city Dallas are by illegal aliens. This group is not unique in any of these problems, but they exacerbate the overall problem.
Politicians and special interest groups have promulgates solutions from walls and deportation to immunity and full citizenship. I am not sure if either satisfies. There is something between giving people opportunities and expecting certain gratitude and respect for receiving said opportunities. Although pro-illegal special interests try to distract the issue by playing the race card, it really is a simple issue of: can the United States continue to support Mexico?
I think Mexico really is the culprit in this situation. Mexico exploits its poorest citizens by encouraging them to make the dangerous trek to the United States. Mexico exploits the generosity of the United States by expected Americans to accept, employ and support its poorest. As an aside, Mexico treats its illegal aliens harshly and deports or imprisons them.
And America seems impotent. Business interests do not want to lose cheap labor. Democrats do not want to lose voters, and Republicans are scared of the race card – so nothing gets done.
I do not know what the proper Christian response is. It seems like Jesus provided charity but expected responsibility. These issues where practicality and the gospel may intersect are the most difficult for me to contemplate. I do know, however, that something must be done.
4 Comments:
didn't we do the same things to the native americans?
yes ... as did the mexicans, the spanish, the french, the dutch, etc. i think this seems to be the pattern of the world.
I admit it is a difficult situation with no easy solutions. But having lived amongst the poorest of Latin America for over 30 years, if you could spend ONE DAY in the misery they live, I dare say you might be a little more understanding of their plight. Poverty is a sin. It is evil. It destroys people. If the shoes were reversed and I was in their place trying to raise a family on less than $100/month, I know I would do everything in my power to make it to the States, slip across the border--do anything I had to do to make a life for my family and self. All these people really want is a chance to live a decent life. They want a job--any job--simply because jobs are not available in their own countries.
What is a Christian response? Jesus spoke of doing things to the least of these my brethren as having done them to Himself. Try helping, ministering, feeding, one of these Latin families and watch how they respond back to you in love and genuine gratefulness.
I agree with you guy although I think you're a little naive with: "All these people really want is a chance to live a decent life. They want a job--any job--simply because jobs are not available in their own countries." That is the case with many of them but it is not the case with many of them. The solution must lie in segregating these groups. My frustration is with Mexico, who does not want to deal with its poor but rather export them. I think the real tragedy lies with the Mexican government and upper class.
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