DACA!

It is not Political it is Personal

By Pastor Vinnie

For me it is not political; it is personal, it is spiritual, it is foundational.

DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival. It was a policy set up by the Obama administration in 2012 to allow children brought to America against their will as minors to identify themselves and register for two-year intervals in an attempt correct a problem beyond their control. It was highly controversial because it was argued that the President did so with an expansion of his powers. These children are often called “dreamers” because they dream of fully belonging to the only country they have ever known or had loyalty too.

I do understand the valid point put forth by many on the right who hold themselves as Constitutionists and ergo believe former President Barak Obama did not have the executive power to sign DACA into action. I, too, share the concern that the Executive Branch of government in the US has had its powers extended way past what would be deemed healthy in the long-term. Yet, I also see the point of many on the left who hold themselves as defenders of equality and ergo could not tolerate it any longer when Congress failed for over 15 years to pass legislation to protect the “dreamers.” So, since politically I can see both sides, let’s set them both aside and explore the personal, spiritual, and foundational sides of this problem.

Personal

Jose came to live with us at age two. He had lived in foster care since 18 months old and we were his 3rd foster families. We adopted him at age 3.

My son could have been a been a dreamer. Both his biological parents were. Both his biological parents (as far as I am informed) were brought to this country illegally as children, and without consent. Children rarely have a say in family matters, especially in the cultures from which many “dreamers” come from. We can talk about illegal immigration. We can talk about reform. We can talk on both sides of the issue; and agree on things that can be done but are not done, as a nation. But when that talk about sending cute little children, like the one in my arms, back to countries where they have no connection, likely no more direct family links, and very often don’t even speak the language, we talk about doing evil. Looking at Jose, in my arms (in the picture to the left), he is Hispanic but does not speak a word of Spanish. Let me ask you, would you really send a little babe like him back to El Salvador? He’d have no family connections, and he’d not be able to speak the language. Would you really let this harmless little boy be easy prey for anyone who had nefarious intentions knowing he’d be young, helpless and he’d not even be able to speak for himself nor report misuse or abuse? Because when you support DACA repeal, that is what you are condemning thousands of little lambs like him too. It’s a little harder with a face put to it, at least I’d hope.

Spiritual

The Word of God declares,  “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it,” (Psalm 24:1)^[1] for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (1 Corinthians 10:26)^[2] God cares little about our nationalism, and He will put His people where he desires. God reserves the sweetness of honey and the richness of milk for those who have been oppressed the most!
“He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, And He set the world on them.” (1 Samuel 2:8)^[3]

Let us remember all borders, languages, and all divisions do not exist because of work ethic, worthiness, nor God’s favor. They exist because of sin and man’s desire to expand his power and the sin to Heaven, itself, via the tower of Babel (see Genesis 6). While God may allow nations sovereignty, those nations best recall, His Son is coming with a rod of iron to punish all nations who are not found acting justly (Revelation 2:27, 18:1-24, Isaiah 30:14). And God has made it clear what his expectations are; “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:34)^[4]

Those who would like to claim “American exceptionalism” do so based on a false sense of Protestant Work Ethic^[5] superiority. They will tell us, “We worked hard for this success, and it is ours; they can get in line and do the same.” They are welcome to hold those ideas, but good luck trying to sell it to Jesus when He returns! I will remind them that James, the very brother of Jesus, has already made it clear that all our success was not at our own hand but the Father of Light’s, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)^[6] Yes, we all worked hard for what we have, but why? Was it to kick back, get fat and horde it up? Or was it suppose to be so that we could, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)^[7]?

Foundational

Foundationally, we are a land of immigrants, and historically often the most oppressed of immigrants. We can only kick everyone out who came illegally if we kick ourselves and our children out and return it to the Native Indians. Let’s go all DACA repeal on our own children since their forefathers entered this land illegally and without the consent of a pre-existing America.

Look, I am not advocating globalism, nor am I saying there should be no immigration reform, there should be, but for “crying out loud,” what kind of monsters are we? You don’t start reform with helpless children! You start it by curbing your greed for cheap labor and one-sided seasonal work visas which are nearly legalized slavery. The truth is visa (work and tourist) overstays are the main reason for illegal immigrants^[8] but because that would cost Americans money in tourism and cheap labor, we will deport children and build a wall instead. Maybe we can use illegal immigrants to build our wall since they make up 5% of our national workforce and much more of our economy;^[9] doing jobs no one else will do at pay rates no one else accepts. Foundationally, we need reform, but reform that addresses the cause does not seek the easy a-political victim who can’t fight back; like a child.

Last Word

The Last Word goes to Jesus.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:6)^[10]

FOOTNOTES:

^[1] NIV

^[2] Ibid.

^[3] Ibid.

^[4] Ibid.

^[5] Also often called Puritan work ethic. It is a system of work ethic that believes that God shows favor on those who work for what they achieve.

^[6] NIV

^[7] Ibid.

^[8] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/visa-overstays-outnumber-illegal-border-crossings-trend-expected-continue-n730216

^[9] https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/27/5-facts-about-illegal-immigration-in-the-u-s

^[10] NIV