Given all the protests by people–many of whom wouldn’t give the Christian faith a second thought when it comes to any other national policy–who think that Trump’s new immigration policy (or failure to continue the Obama-era policy) is somehow “un-Christian,” let me ask a few questions of clarification:
– Do we all agree that radical Islam has declared war on America and that we face a clear and present danger to our national security?
– Do we all agree that the Islamists have promised to infiltrate the refugees coming into the country and that some national leaders–such as James Comey–have admitted there is no way to vet them?
– Do we all agree that the president has the constitutional right–no, the responsibility–to protect American citizens by all reasonable means, including regulating who comes into the country?
– Do we all agree that there is a problem with the current immigration system, and that we have allowed in some people who have carried out violent attacks against us and that such people will continue to do so unless we stop them?
– Do we all agree that while it is very important that the United States maintain its global leadership role as a haven for refugees over the long haul, that the safety of American citizens is the government’s first priority?
– Do we all agree that a pause in accepting refugees from certain high-risk countries (so identified by the Obama administration), while perhaps a drastic step, is not the same as a permanent ban?
IF we are all agreed on these facts, THEN we can discuss the merits and problems of Trump’s policy. Yes, we want to keep an open door to those fleeing persecution–no question. Security and immigration are both important to America.
My own view is that Trump has overreached, using a sledgehammer instead of a scalpel. Over the long term, I believe he will rue his mistake–which likely has energized the Left, which was already looking for an issue. Well, he gave it to them, all right.
But Trump is certainly right to seek the security of American citizens. Those who disagree on that point will never be happy with anything he does. Their goal will always be to protest, not to reach a balanced solution.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
