Welcome the stranger?

At a time when many of our Haitian and Syrian neighbors are living with profound fear and uncertainty, because of the recent Supreme Court decision, Christians cannot look away. Especially given the reality that the administration that seeks to strip them of their legal protections constantly claims to be “Christian.”

Haitian and Syrian refugees have enriched the United States in countless ways. They have started businesses, worked in hospitals, cared for our elderly, taught in our schools, served in our churches, and strengthened communities through their resilience, faith, and hard work. Like generations of immigrants before them, they have contributed economically, culturally, and spiritually to the country they now call home.

Yet both communities have also endured dehumanizing lies and conspiracy theories. Haitians have been falsely accused of bizarre acts such as stealing and eating people’s pets, claims that spread widely, even repeated by the president of the United States, despite the absence of any credible evidence. The president also referred to Haiti as a “sh#thole country” along with other countries. Syrians fleeing civil war are frequently portrayed as terrorists or secret extremists, even though refugees admitted to the United States undergo extensive security screening. These kinds of myths do more than spread misinformation, they strip people of their humanity and make it easier for others to justify treating them with suspicion, contempt, or cruelty.

When prominent political leaders amplify or legitimize these narratives, the consequences are real. During the recent wave of false claims targeting Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, the community experienced bomb threats, school closures, evacuations, and fear. Families who had simply been trying to build peaceful lives suddenly found themselves treated as targets because of rhetoric that portrayed them as dangerous outsiders.

Now many Haitian and Syrian families who have built lives in the United States under lawful humanitarian protections face the possibility of losing those protections and being deported. These are people who have worked, paid taxes, raised children, worshiped in local churches, and invested in their communities. Many of them are our fellow Christians.

Seeing people with legal authorization suddenly face the loss of that status shows should make us question any claim that it was only about “coming here legally” or that immigration enforcement is focused only on violent criminals.

Many people, myself included, see these developments as part of a broader white supremacist pattern in Christian nationalism, which disproportionately portrays immigrants, particularly those who are Black, Arab, or otherwise perceived as “foreign” as threats. Others disagree with that interpretation and argue these policies are about immigration enforcement rather than race. Regardless of where one lands politically, Christians should be willing to ask whether our words and policies reflect the command to love our neighbors and recognize the image of God in every person. Especially during a time when the current administration constantly claims to “stand for Christianity.”

I’m heartbroken by where we are as a country. I am devastated by how our sacred faith as Christians has been used to justify the mistreatment of others, including immigrants. I grieve deeply for all those it is impacted so negatively. We must pray and advocate for our Haitian and Syrian brothers and sisters, for their safety, for peace in their hearts, for wisdom for leaders, and for churches to embody the love of Christ in tangible ways. We should pray that fear would not overcome compassion and that truth would prevail over lies.

Some ideas for action:

-Build genuine relationships with Haitian and Syrian families in our neighborhoods and churches.

-Volunteer with refugee resettlement organizations and immigrant support ministries.

-Support immigrant-owned businesses and community organizations in your area.

-Offer transportation, childcare, language tutoring, or help navigating schools and healthcare systems.

-Speak up when false rumors or dehumanizing stereotypes are repeated, responding with truth and compassion rather than silence.

-Contact elected officials to advocate for policies that uphold the promises that were made and the dignity of every human being.

-Welcome newcomers into our churches, homes, and communities, reflecting the hospitality that Christ has shown us.

The Church is at its best when it refuses to dehumanize those whom the world fears. Haitian and Syrian families are not political talking points. They are our neighbors. Many are Christian. All bear the image of God.

May we be known not for our suspicion of strangers but for our faithfulness to Jesus, who said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”