COME TO CONSENSUS CORNER

ISSUE AFTER ISSUE ADDRESSED BY GOD’S KINGDOM: IMMIGRATION

Last week’s conclusion included this thought: Tears of sorrow will all but vanish as we address issue after issue needing attention to be in harmony with GOD’s loving ways and wondrous Word! Let’s look at another issue that needs to be addressed in this nation, the United States, in a reasonable and fair way:

IMMIGRATION

JUSTICE? There is a heavy backlog of cases for those wishing to enter our country properly. In fact, last August, the load of cases reached 1 million, not counting an additional 0.3 million “pending” cases. Most must wait months or years for their cases to complete, and many (not all) cases drag on for nearly two years time! At that time, these cases were evidently being handled by less than 500 judges in the court system. With respect to the president, this may have increased since then, and of course these judges work tirelessly to do what they can, and deserve much commendation. How did God feel about such foreigners in His land of Israel? The people of Israel had become foreign residents in the land of Egypt, before God saved them from slavery there. Likewise many early settlers in the land of the United States had been persecuted religiously in their former land, and were able to escape from such to serve God freely in this land. Thus, in this setting, God told Israel they must view them as He views them:

Deuteronomy 10:18-19 “He executes justice for the fatherless child and the widow and loves the foreign resident, giving him food and clothing. You too must love the foreign resident, for you became foreign residents in the land of Egypt.”

When a case arose involving a foreigner, it was to be handled fairly—impartially, the foreigner was not to be misjudged, but treated as fairly as a native of the land. As Moses had instructed Israel:

Deuteronomy 1:16 “At that time I instructed your judges, ‘When you hear a case between your brothers, you are to judge with righteousness between a man and his brother or a foreign resident.”

How might issues involving immigrants or the increasing migrants at our border looking for a safe refuge be resolved adequately? Supposing God’s Kingdom was to begin rule first in this land, before gradually extending to other lands? How might this potentially grievous situation be handled?

FIRST , the case process needs to be streamlined. It is taking far too long to resolve many cases. The qualifications and standards to be met need to be clarified to all, that they may have all necessary information in order and receive judgment more quickly. Would it not be reasonable for any who wish to apply to enter this country legally to be able to be heard in a matter of weeks at most, and have a resolved case within a week or two afterward? Let’s streamline the process early on, so the cases do not unnecessarily drag out.

NEXT , it will take some time to reduce the caseload. We need additional experienced or qualified judges to handle more cases, to speed up this process. While taking some time, even several years, certain cases may still be earmarked for more urgent attention, as with those in special need of refuge. It really shouldn't take this long, but let’s set a maximum goal of 8 years time to resolve all cases, until most every case can be handled in a matter of 1-2 weeks time. Let’s find all those recently retired judges who are now receiving their due social security payments, who are willing to come back for a time, receiving wages along with their SSI payments, to reach a total of 110% of their former wage before retirement. Any who would come back for 4 years may receive this wage for that entire time. Thus there may be some monetary incentive to returning to help with this caseload, but should still be considered a labor of love. Also, let those judges who are in their last 4 years of service consider as well extending their work for an additional 4 years, at 110% of their wages at the time they would otherwise be retiring. Thus, there can be, with God’s blessing, an adequate number of experienced judges to handle the additional caseload.

THEN , where are they to work, when the normal legal process must take place in the courts during the day? Why not arrange for a night court to handle these additional cases, in the same courtrooms as being used in the daytime? Additional security can be hired and provisions put in place to reasonably handle this new arrangement. The number of additional judges should not exceed the available courtroom space for night-time work.

HOW will all this be paid for? Remember, most of those wishing to immigrate to this land are coming from a place of meager means—often they are barely able to feed their families. Getting even a menial job in this land can be far more lucrative than employment in their former land. Why not require family heads to pay a percentage of their wages over 5 years time, gradually reducing the amount each year, until they are free of such? Let’s start with 10% the first year, then drop to 8% the next, and so on until the fifth year they need only give 2%. This will not only pay for the additional judges and costs of running the night court system, but may also make possible a fund for some sort of social intervention where needed in some cases. This 5-year time is evidently also the minimum time someone must hold a green card before they may qualify to become a U.S. citizen. Thus when they’ve paid their last dues, they know they now meet at least that part of the criteria.

ALSO , during the time that a family’s case comes up to be heard, and is ongoing, why not take this opportunity to educate this family as regards the laws and value system of our country? We might ensure computer/internet access and a series of instructional tutorials etc. to accomplish this. After all, God required foreign residents of Israel to keep the same laws, and suffer the same penalties for violating them. Thus, they will need to learn these things to live in our land, and abide by such. Thus, God instructed Israel:

Deuteronomy 31:12 Gather the people together, the men, the women, the children, and your foreign resident who is within your cities, in order that they may listen and learn about and fear Jehovah your God and take care to carry out all the words of this Law.

CONCLUSION

JUSTICE. While other aspects of immigration also need to be addressed, certainly a program such as this could be a fine starting point for dealing with the current situation. Why, there may even be enough money in the immigration fund to assist with payment of a hotel stay for those having their cases heard in the court. God’s Kingdom will no doubt lovingly address all such issues in an adequate way, that the conditions foretold for the earth can become a reality—a lovely just and peaceful Paradise, both spiritually, and physically!