Every human person has the right to support themselves and their family. But poverty, persecution, and disaster can make life impossible in one’s native land. The rights and dignity of migrants should be seriously considered when crafting migration policy. The fact that millions of people have entered our country illegally must be tempered by the reality that our immigration system is broken, and has failed to justly respond to the needs of those fleeing perils.

At the same time, however, nations have a right—and a duty—to regulate their borders. And immigrants also have duties to a country that receives them. “Open border” cosmopolitanism is not the goal. Rather, a just and well-regulated immigration system that prioritizes upholding the law, safety, families and relief from suffering is. We must strive for comprehensive reform to our broken immigration system while taking commonsense measures to integrate immigrants already living among us into our communities.

"I was a stranger, and you welcomed me."- Matthew 25:35