REPENTANCE BEFORE AMNESTY: A Prophetic Cry to the Christian Immigrant Community in the United States Dr Josimar Salum

REPENTANCE BEFORE AMNESTY: A Prophetic Cry to the Christian Immigrant Community in the United States

Dr Josimar Salum

06/27/2025

The debate about immigration, especially in the Christian context, involves not only political and legal aspects but also a profound spiritual dimension. Over more than 30 years serving wholeheartedly among fellow Brazilians and many immigrants from other nations, I have observed recurring situations that reveal serious distortions, both in legality and in moral integrity.

On one hand, there is a clear and urgent need for immigration reform that can bring dignified and humane solutions to millions of people. On the other hand, one cannot ignore that many immigrants, consciously or not, end up wounding this land by breaking laws, opening the door to spiritual and social consequences that go far beyond simple illegality.

There are concrete cases that illustrate this reality. People enter the United States with a tourist visa, already planning to work and stay illegally, taking on a lie at the very moment of entry. Others, holders of a student visa, go on to work even though they know the law does not allow it, justifying themselves with phrases like, “No one will find out; I have to survive.”These same people, however, sign documents formally declaring they will not work, which constitutes deliberate fraud.

There are also sham marriages carried out exclusively to obtain immigration benefits. Petitions without a truthful basis are presented under the pretext of “helping someone,” but in practice, far from the truth, whether in religious processes or asylum requests.

Another concerning aspect involves businesses that, in order to avoid tax obligations, opt for informal and unregistered payments, encouraging “under the table” agreements. In many of these cases, there is no demonstration of repentance; on the contrary, there is even a certain pride in the ability to circumvent the rules, under the justification of sustaining and providing for the family.

Such behaviors, besides violating civil law, create serious spiritual breaches. It is like mocking the laws of the country that welcomes them, trying to gain advantages without respecting its norms. Added to this is the reality of people who cross the border in absolutely irregular conditions, fully aware they do not meet any legal criteria, and yet try to legitimize such practices, rationalizing their attitudes in the name of economic or social issues.

In this scenario, the need for genuine repentance in the Christian community stands out. The text of 2 Chronicles 7:14 warns us: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Many prefer to treat these acts as mere justified mistakes, but they remain sins that break legal and spiritual principles, leaving doors open for painful consequences.

Therefore, it is urgent to proclaim a clear message of repentance that awakens consciences and especially sensitizes the Christian immigrant community. Even when these practices occurred before a genuine conversion to Christ, there is room for confession and a cry for forgiveness, so that God can fully work restoration in these lives.

A worrying phenomenon has also been observed in immigration legal practice: unscrupulous lawyers and professionals, known for fraudulent practices and for promising “shortcuts,” were repeatedly hired by people of faith, often without any ethical questioning. This was also seen in the Massachusetts region, where there was a high number of cases sponsored by churches involving identical petitions and dubious advice, evidencing a pattern of complicity. Even before the judge, many falsely declared they had not received help, when it was clear that the entire process was intermediated. The predictable result, in many cases, was the denial of requests and the worsening of their immigration situation.

This reflection does not aim to condemn, but rather to make an urgent call to repentance, conversion, and the practice of justice. It is necessary to recognize that many have abused the system, seeking shortcuts and justifications to circumvent rules, harming principles of honesty and integrity. The book of Proverbs reminds us: “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them” (Proverbs 28:4). And further: “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his ways, though he be rich”(Proverbs 28:6).

These truths invite us to reflect on the importance of remaining firm in truth, respecting norms, and submitting to just principles — not merely out of fear of human law, but as a living testimony of the character of Christ.

The repentance that is needed should not be generic, but profound, transformative, and specifically directed toward the practices mentioned: lies to obtain visas, false statements, sham marriages, fraudulent petitions, informal payments, tax evasion, and benefits unjustly obtained — behaviors that offend the values of honesty and violate the justice of God.

The Word reinforces: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). May there be courage and discernment to proclaim this message without fear, calling the community of faith to live in the light of justice and righteousness, not only in speech, but especially in attitudes and in the willingness to humble themselves, avoiding judging and condemning others or taking pride in any sense of self-righteousness.

This reflection echoes the call of John the Baptist, who proclaimed to the people: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2), reminding us that repentance is not merely a feeling of guilt, but implies a change of mindset and conduct, with concrete results and visible fruit.

This analysis points to a sensitive and urgent matter, so often silenced: the need for true repentance within the Christian immigrant community. May the voice of the Holy Spirit find hearts willing to listen and obey, so that there may be healing, restoration, and transformation both on a personal level and collectively.

And may Almighty God grant us His amnesty, even before, by His mercy, He might move the country to offer any amnesty to immigrants. 

Psalm 103 (excerpt)

6 The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel.

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

#ASONE

Are they undocumented or Illegal Immigrants?

Josimar Salum

Those who entered and worked here illegally had broken the law, but have those undocumented or illegal immigrants violated a Criminal or a Civil Law? 

Entering in the country illegally is considered a federal misdemeanor. Simply lacking legal immigration status is a civil violation, however they are not committing a crime by being in the country illegally. 

Read what Wikipedia says about Immigration Laws: 

“Immigration law, regarding foreign citizens, is related to nationality law, which governs the legal status of people, in matters such as citizenship. Immigration laws vary from country to country, as well as according to the political climate of the times, as sentiments may sway from the widely inclusive to the deeply exclusive of new immigrants.” 

Our Constitution is the Rule of Law on Illegal Immigration. When I read the Preamble the "The Constitution of Freedom" I always realize that I am touching serious fabrics of civilization. 

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” 

It is in the Constitution Article 1 Section 8 that says that among many powers, the Congress has the power to “establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization.” 

It is the Congress that has the power to legislate on those issues. And it has done many more than a 120 years. 

US Embassies and Consulates are the State Government agencies that control who enters or not in the United States, therefore, visas to foreigners. 

I will not, it is not my purpose to address these processes here, but I can affirm that through the Laws of the last 40 years and the current laws and these processes it is almost impossible that any immigrant who wants to come here to find a basic job, like cleaner, farm worker, cashier of a bakery and other similar positions gets a proper visa to enter here legally. 

Someone may argue that anyone can be invited by a US company to work here for any job, what is not quite so. 

The same Congress who approves the Laws is the same Congress that will have to deal with the reality of 11 million people living here illegally. 

The President, Governors and all Public authorities swear obey the Constitution. Apart the Legislative Power which is the Government Branch that makes the Laws, it is the Executive Power that enforces the laws while the Judiciary makes sure that everybody obeys the Law. 

We have to make sure that We, The People, that empowers all public servants from the President to the simplest of them, because all of them are accountable to the People. The Government is the Government because of the will of the people. 

If they don’t enforce make, don’t enforce and don’t make sure that is obeyed, they are breaking the Law. 

Including this President of our time, governments have not been fulfilling the Law on these matters of Immigration for a long time. 

They have in hand Social Security reports that easily identify millions of immigrants who are working with a fake document, with a Social Security not valid for employment or with a TIN – Tax Identification Number. Why did they not act before? They didn’t for total economic interest, because the country needed or are still in need of this huge task force, called by many “illegal immigrants.” They call themselves America. 

But let us be unfair. Let us send 11 million immigrants back to the countries of their first nationality. 

Let us secure our borders now. We have broken the Law on this, but from now on let us start clean. 

Supposed that 11 million are deported with the use of almost 40 thousand flights, Mexico had already received 4 million of them, Brazil 700 thousand, 300 thousand each country of Latin America, 3 million Chinese and so on. Cost of the Operation: 12 billion dollars. 

Economic and Social Impact: Economic Impact: 11 million less consumers, at least 2 millions of empty houses and apartments; millions of cars aprehended by the financial institutions for lack of payment, ghost towns and neighborhood, revolt around the world, at least 6 million open jobs available immediately, rotted crops for lack of farm workers... 

Just imagining! Mission accomplished! 

I don't think so. What I think really is that 8 million at least will continue been living here. 

The Barack Obama Government is either lying on the numbers of the undocumented people living here or they really don’t know. 

The truth is that Immigrations have been coming and leaving to this country under the shadows of the convenience of those who were supposed to fulfill the Law, but they didn’t. 

President Obama signed an Executive Order last year to momentarily give legal status, according to him, to 800 thousand of young people who entered here illegaly with the age of 16 to 28. 

One only and final suggestion: 

Find out how many young people have already applied for! 

Letter to a willing migrant to America

Dear sister;

I understand exactly what you are going on and I can related myself with some of your situations. 

What I am going to share is not the ideal scenario and I will write based on my belief that obedience to laws is not absolute. By living in Cracovia, by now you should have understood this easily. There are laws that are simply unjust, anywhere, and in my case I will never obey them. Unless it costs me too much, if not displease my Lord, I simply declare with clean conscience, by faith, they are not for me. So I move on...

Yes, we must respect and obey authorities. Yes, I do uphold the Constitution of my country and abide by the laws of the Land. However there are some laws that contradict directly what God says and with those laws I don't want to have nothing with. I don't even let my conscience feel guilty. I merely don't think about it.

I don't know what are the financial costs involved'as you migrate. Let us suppose you clean this financial obstacle. What I mean is you would pursue your dream step by step and you have to effectively start it. Plainly saying if you have to work here there are always a way to do it. Give to the Lord what is the Lord's and to Caesar what is to Caesar's. But be sure that Caesar's never wants to give what is the Lord's. Think about it!

Researching, dreaming, expecting, planning and all of those things you have been experiencing for so long and you have been involved with for so long added to your old vision and desire to migrate to America must be over. You should step in by faith, move on through any door opened and let the time brings you to another challenge and only by then, on that specific time, you will face it and make a decision.

You may object that coming here you will have to work to pay your school while you should not work with a Student Visa... You could reason that a Student Visa would be just for an year and then, after one year, "what will I do? What about when my time here is over? Why if I have to return to Cracovia? What about the ties I have to cut off in Cracovia to come to America and if I need then when I return? And if, if, if... if nothing doesn't work, "what am I going to do?" You see... Just thinking... You did nothing, You didn't step by faith.

See, you are not moving forward step by step, you are attaching uncertain tough questions to easier real present decisions. If you make one decision at a time any decision can open to you a set of possibilities that you will never experience unless you decide your way after each step you move forward.

Frustration is the fake sense of not being able to get over something you thought you could not do so you have never tried or you have tried but you just went half way to accomplish it because you believed the lie it was not possible. The Truth is: all things are possible! I can assure you that with my own testimonies. Yes, we can do all things with God.

Let me encourage you to stop dreaming, I mean, sleeping. Awake up to the fact that it is not you or any fulfilment of any laws that justifies you, but only Jesus. I mean, get rid of that illusion you can be justified by fulfilling the Law. You will never do it and I bet you you don't even follow all the Laws in your own country.

Let us gain your attention to the fact that your depression and suffering for the current problems you face are temporaries. You are not alone in the universe with the type of problems you face, you are not unique, you are not special, all similar sufferings are present in many believers houses around the world. 

Like if you were always thinking or saying: "You have no idea what I have been through. If you just know it!"

If I really knew it I would not be able any way to help entirely with what you need, the same way people can't not help me the way I think I need or deserve, they simply can't help me with many problems I go through. If I am depressed I myself will absorb all the sadness that it comes with, drop by drop, until nothing is left and I will patiently go (I have no other option anyway) as deep as I can into all the implications I am surrounded with. So, I think, let me cry all I can cry and be in my room by myself all the time I want to, because all will pass away. Do you understand me?

Let us call you to meet the Lord at the airport, with tickets to your destiny and let the misery of trying to please God by your efforts, depending on somebody and something else, be gone. God is already totally pleased with you, daughter, and those who are completely pleased with Him He makes their hearts's desires to pass.

Be blessed,

Josimar Salum