The paradox of American evangelical views on immigration: A review of the empirical research

In view of the current crisis and controversies related to immigration, this article examines views of American evangelicals on the subject. Statements issued by national evangelical leaders and organizations generally call for immigration reform balancing concerns for law and order and border security with a call for the compassionate treatment of immigrants and creation of pathways to citizenship. But a survey of the numerous empirical studies on grassroots evangelical views on immigration reveals several paradoxes. Not only are the opinions of average evangelicals on immigration more restrictive than those expressed in the aforementioned statements, but their attitudes and the manner in which they form their opinions appear inconsistent with evangelical convictions. Compared to all other religious groups, white evangelicals have the most negative views regarding immigration. Underlying factors include the failure of evangelical churches to address the topic of immigration, a separation of personal ethics from views on public policy, lack of interaction between evangelicals and immigrants, Christian nationalism, and other social influences