Wrestling With
the Complexity
An honest look at some of the questions immigrant stories raise
Newsletter #2
One question the story raises
What happens when we see people primarily through the lens of categories or labels instead of as individuals carrying God-given dignity?
When people are reduced to categories, something essential is lost. Categories can help us navigate complex systems, but they cannot carry the full weight of a human life. A person becomes easier to evaluate than to understand, easier to debate than to know. Psalm 8 reminds us that every person carries God-given glory, and when we lose sight of that, we risk making decisions and forming opinions that overlook the very people those decisions affect.
One Common Objection
Doesn’t enforcing immigration law require difficult decisions, even when the outcomes seem painful?
This concern reflects a real desire for order, fairness, and the rule of law. Scripture does not dismiss the importance of structure or wise governance. But Psalm 8 introduces a deeper boundary. Every system, no matter how necessary, must still account for the dignity of the people within it. The question is not whether difficult decisions are required, but whether those decisions are made in a way that continues to recognize the humanity of those most affected.
One Common Misconception
Dignity is something people earn based on their behavior, legal status, or contribution.
Psalm 8 challenges this assumption at its core. It tells us that human beings are crowned with glory not because of what they have done, but because of what God has given. Dignity is not awarded by systems or revoked by circumstances. It is inherent. When we begin to tie dignity to status or performance, we shift from recognizing what God has declared to assigning value on our own terms.
One Question for Reflection
When we hear stories like this, what do we see first: a situation to evaluate… or a person to recognize?
Newsletter #1
Questions the story raises
How common are stories like this?
Stories like this are more common than many of us realize. While not every situation is the same, many who arrive at the southern border are fleeing violence, instability, or urgent need, not simply seeking opportunity.
How many undocumented immigrants are there in Kansas?
Estimates vary by source and, by the nature of the issue, are not exact. A generally accepted range is 60,000 to 75,000 undocumented immigrants in Kansas. Many families are mixed-status, with parents and older children lacking legal status while younger children are U.S. citizens by birth. Undocumented immigrants make up a significant portion of the workforce in industries such as agriculture, meat processing, construction, and service jobs like restaurants, hotels, and cleaning work.
One Common Objection
If a migrant enters the country illegally, it seems like that should disqualify them from receiving sympathy.
Respect for the law matters. But from a biblical perspective, a person’s need and dignity are not erased by how they arrived. Scripture consistently calls God’s people to show compassion to the vulnerable, even when their situation is complex or imperfect. We may not condone how they entered, but we also resist condemning them for choices we might have made under similar circumstances.
One Common Misconception
If migrants really wanted to come legally, they could simply “get in line” and wait their turn.
For many migrants, there isn’t a clear or accessible “line” to enter legally. The immigration system is complex, expensive, and unforgiving. Legal pathways are often unavailable to those fleeing urgent danger, which is why many feel they have no real option but to come without authorization.
Questions for Reflection
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What assumptions do I tend to make about families like this, and how might those assumptions change if I knew their story?
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When I hear stories like this, what emotions rise up in me, and what might those emotions be revealing?