Suzanne G. Bowles says:

I don’t doubt that the authors are earnest devoted evangelical Christians, but their argument is seriously flawed.

1. They insist on using the euphemism “undocumented” instead of “illegal” with the obvious purpose of playing down the illegality of illegal immigration. But using a nicer word doesn’t negate illegality. They also try to blur the distinction between legal & illegal by reducing illegal status to merely lacking a piece of paper. One wonders if these earnest young evangelicals would accept the same argument regarding cohabiting versus marriage. “Oh, we’re not shacking up; we just have an undocumented marriage.” Somehow I don’t think so. They also try to make illegal immigration analagous to breaking the speed limit — “Well, we all do it.” If I may use the above comparison again, I doubt they would accept the argument of “everybody does it” for unmarried couples living together. They admit that illegal aliens are, in fact, breaking the law, but they want to play that down, or justify it, as much as possible.

2. Much of their evidence for defending illegals is based on anecdotal evidence. They adhere to the “once you know them you’ll love them” argument & back this up with personal stories of illegals with heart-rending tales. The cynical might call these “sob stories.” But my problem with this form of argument is that it proves nothing. Those against illegal immigration can just as easily come up with horror stories of criminal behavior by illegals.

3. While the authors pay lip service to the notion of regulating immigration & having some limits on who can come in, the logic of their argument leads to the opposite conclusion. They give no rationale at all as to how such limits should be determined. In fact, they seem to suggest that (with the possible exception of terrorists & those with infactious diseases)every person in the world has a right to come to the US simply because they’re poor & that we have no right to keep them out.

4. In Ch. 4 “Immigrating the Legal Way” they make the bizarre argument that because there are currently (in their opinion) such stringent limits on legal immigration a person who can’t get in any other way is perfectly justified in entering illegally, & what’s more, it’s the US’s fault! This is analagous to saying that a person is justified in robbing a bank because the bank won’t just give him money when he asks, & then the robbery is the bank’s fault because they wouldn’t give him the money in the first place!

I do, however, give the authors credit for two things. They do not label their opponents as bigots & racists as so many pro-illegal activists do, & they do acknowledge that there are Christian authors (e.g. Carol Swain, James Edwards, Roberta Combs) who take a restrictionist position on illegal immigration. But I’m still not buying what they’re selling.
Rating: 2 / 5

Jody Fernando says:

The short story:

1. This is the clearest, most concise, and irenic book on a political issue that I have ever read. (And I don’t say that about many books, feel free to peruse my other reviews).

2. All Christians should read this book. This is an issue about which we cannot remain ignorant and silent. In fact, read it and buy an extra copy for your pastor.

The long(er) story:

I still can’t quite grasp what made a book about immigration so riveting and spiritual, and yet those are the two words I feel most accurately describe this book. While it’s not a page turner a-la-John-Grisham, I found myself chewing on ideas the authors had expressed and longing to know more. Combining the basic Biblical value of care for one another with the need for Christian involvement in immigration support and reform, Matt Soerens and Jenny Hwang lay out a clear, well-documented, and compelling examination of the state of immigration in America.

While keeping the value of the individual at the forefront, they examine the complex dynamics of undocumented workers, the history of immigration in the US, and legal components of our modern day immigration policy. While addressing concerns regarding immigration, they also present the positive effects that immigration has on a society. Finally, they close the book with a call to the church to embrace the `stranger among us’. Spiritually, I appreciated most their commitment to integrate justice, compassion, and truth by presenting both individual stories and national responsibilities. Their ultimate perspective seems well summarized through what Intervarsity pastor Bill Nelson says, “Whenever there is opportunity for the church to reach out to people in our communities, we must consider what it will take to further the kingdom. If it means putting down the American flag and raising the kingdom flag, that is what we should do.”

I’ve tried reading other books on immigration, but none of them have been so clear in connecting all the dots between history, policy, and Biblical mandates. Thank you, Matthew & Jenny. You’ve given us all a great gift. I’ll be passing my copy along to as many people as possible!

Rating: 5 / 5

D. Wood says:

Soerens and Hwang present a long-awaited, personal, and comprehensive approach to understanding immigration reform. From the beginning of the book, they do not make this a political battlefield, but the set about making this issue about real human beings and the importance of keeping families together.

Both authors’ personal stories from living abroad and from their own neighborhoods, allow them to write with confidence about the need for amelioration in our immigration system. The authors urge the Church to grow in advocacy for this issue through the motivation of personal connection, and thus growing in the Christ-taught virtues of hospitality and service.

By getting to know, investing in, serving, and loving the strangers in the church’s immediate community, may the church then seek justice at a larger scale for those who are closest to them. May the stirring stories told by Soerens and Hwang inspire you to incline your ear, open your heart and welcome the stranger in your own community.
Rating: 5 / 5