What Do the Abrahamic Faiths Say About Immigrants?

As protests erupt across Los Angeles over ICE raids primarily targeting the city’s Hispanic community, religious leaders from every tradition are wading into the debate. Clergy from mosques, churches, and synagogues have all weighed in, many citing scripture to support their stance on how we should treat immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. But what do these holy books actually say about migration?

Turns out, quite a bit. Across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, there’s a recurring figure that shows up in moral instruction: the stranger, the sojourner, the foreigner living among you. Sometimes they’re a test of character. Sometimes a symbol of divine mystery. But most often, they’re just… people, deserving of dignity and compassion.

Let’s dig into what these sacred texts actually say about migrants.

Judaism: “You were foreigners in Egypt”

In the Torah, empathy for the immigrant isn’t just suggested, it’s commanded. One of the most famous phrases in Jewish scripture is a reminder:

“You shall not wrong or oppress a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” – Exodus 22:21

In Exodus, God hands down laws demanding compassion for some of the most vulnerable communities: Foreigners, widows, and orphans. This sentiment is echoed throughout the Hebrew Bible, including in Leviticus.

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” – Leviticus 19:34

The command to treat immigrants with love and equality isn’t buried in a footnote, nor is it a suggestion - it’s a command. The entire narrative arc of Jewish identity, from Abraham’s nomadic journey to the Israelites’ exodus, is steeped in the experience of displacement.

Christianity: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”

Christian scripture builds directly on Jewish teachings of compassion and empathy for migrant communities. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus lays it out plainly in a list of righteous deeds:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35

In this passage, Jesus isn’t just advocating kindness to strangers, He’s stating that upon the final judgment, the “sheep” - those who serve those in need, will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s notable that Jesus specifically identifies Himself with the needy - the implication being that acts of compassion for vulnerable people are a direct extension of one’s faith. Later, He warns that how we treat the outsider is how we treat him:

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40

The early Christian community itself was often on the move, living in diaspora, and Jesus was born in a barn because his family couldn’t find shelter. He later fled to Egypt as a child refugee. This is central to the message of the gospel.

Islam: “Do good to… the wayfarer”

The Qur’an, too, emphasizes compassion for those on the move. In Surah Al-Baqarah, a list of righteous virtues includes:

“…give wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler…” – Qur’an 2:177

Here, the “traveler” (often interpreted as a stranded or vulnerable migrant) is included alongside other protected groups. The Qur’an also reminds Muslims of their own migratory history—the Prophet Muhammad and his followers were forced to flee Mecca for Medina in the Hijra, a foundational event in Islam.

In the Sura an-Nisa, Muslims are again commanded to act charitably towards the wayfarer as one would their own family.

“do good to; parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer..”
– Qur’an 4:36

Surah Al-Tawbah even commands protection for non-Muslim foreigners seeking help:

“And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the word of Allah. Then escort him to where he can be secure.” – Qur’an 9:6

Similarly to the other Abrahamic faiths, the message of the Qur’an  is consistent: Treat the vulnerable wayfarer with generosity and protection, regardless of their background.

What do the Abrahamic faiths say about immigration?

Undoubtedly, the modern politics of immigration are complex. Explosive population growth, global political turmoil, and massive wealth inequality have turned immigration into a complicated issue with no easy answers. 

Nevertheless, the scriptural message across the Abrahamic faiths is generally aligned, and based on these verses it appears they all support extending a helping hand towards migrant communities. All three holy texts suggest, or at times even command, treating immigrants not as threats, but as neighbors, worthy of compassion and dignity. 

In our modern age, where migration is a key political issue… Perhaps a bit of ancient wisdom goes a long way.