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

Immigration: A Uniform Rule of Naturalization

January 23, 2013  |  Worcester, Massachusetts

By Josimar Salum

My son, my wife and I are immigrants from Brazil. The day of our Oath to become American citizens was quite a special day to be remembered for the rest of our lives.

Our son is married to an immigrant young lady and they gave us a grandson who was born in Boston. As citizens native born or naturalized we all have the same rights and duties, except the right to be elected President. Only a native born has this unique right.

On debating the Immigration issue I must be very clear that I am against illegal stuff: any kind of disturbance of the Order and disobedience of the Law, the act of people crossing the borders illegally, breaking of criminal and civil laws, any illegal behaviors, any crime and I am especially against terrorism.

I am also against injustice of all kinds, oppression, slavery and anything and anybody that hinder any people the Pursuit of Happiness and Freedom.

I believe that those who break the Law should be prosecuted through a Due Process as I also believe can find mercy at the Courtroom. I have seen Honorable Judges and Prosecutors acquainting defendants, especially young people, for civil violations and for minor criminal acts.

I have saw Justice in all the instances and cases I served along as a defendant, a plaintiff or as a juror.

Justice is not served when:

- Enforcing the letter of the Law with severity because there are Laws that are simply not right;

- In any given individual case mistakes are committed. As it is, each of us in the US Justice System is judged individually. Justice
is not served by the possibility of an error; these may happen,

-  But Justice is served by the power of the Democracy of our Nation which was founded upon Principles of Life, Freedom and Justice.

The right to pursuing happiness is based on and related to the individual freedoms that we still enjoy like any other place in this planet (because they are endowed by our Creator): of Expression, Speech, Press, of Worship, of Assembly, and most important the Freedom to be an individual.

The tyranny of Government and even tyranny from the Courtrooms should never prevail because free individuals cannot be manipulated, all of them at the same time, never.

This precious jewel called Freedom we enjoy today is the result of the fight of brave men and women who died here and abroad.
Just to name one example as much as Brazil has a Supreme Law in the Land called “the Constitution of the Citizens” it is not as quite for the Citizens indeed.

The concept of “Freedom even at last” on a flag of one of the Brazil states does not fit our Conscience. We want freedom now, never for tomorrow.

The general welfare in societies is only possible if each individual can pursue his own welfare and of his family. It is the right to pursue happiness that makes individuals responsible for each other.

We are a blessed nation indeed, one Nation under God with Justice and Liberty for all.

When I read the Preamble of I call "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.”

The United States have been a beacon and a refuge of hope from generation to generation that has draw more people from other nations than any other country in the world have done.

Migration movements, good and bad, righteous and unrighteous also have been related to the US economy since the time of its foundation.

From Africans brought without their will to the Chinese who built railroads to Mexicans who harvested our produce to be served in our table to Europeans, Asians, Latinos, Brazilian who built our structures: migrants have been cleaning our houses and market places and serving our donuts and coffees, and venturing as entrepreneurs to and in our industries.

And more, vietnamese, Afghans and Iraqis who immigrated as refugees from the war we (even we have) waged, all of them have found here the dreams they never had and the abundance they never imagined.

And as much as I know we are all them and they are becoming us all, just Americans.

There is a cry in the land from all its inhabitants for a “Uniform Rule of Naturalization” that symbolizes our kindness, materializes our need for security and brings Justice to millions who entered here lawful and unlawful, yes, unlawful as they stayed by all means for lack of right laws and protected by a broken system.

There are many on waiting lines on our Consulates around the world who want to come.

Our propaganda around the world about our prosperity and freedom would for sure attract anybody who dared to dream to come to a place called theLand of the Free and Home of the Brave.

We sold out millions of movies and have showed our youth well dressed and well fed at the fringes [?] of extreme knowledge and progress for the world to see.

We have accumulated technological advances and produced so many novel products put together they have inebriated infatuated young and old. Even kids far way and at the most diverse places dream of growing up just to move to America.

We have become champions in almost everything and the youth from other nations saw the brilliance of our schools and desired to come.

And they all came. Without our legal permission or not, they all came. And they stayed.

So what?

We wrote broken Laws; illegally they are enforced the way they should not be enforced, and we didn’t even take care of our borders.

We have allowed our corporations to hire anyone for decades and our farms to absorb any help. We liked the illegal participation of foreigners in our economy because we needed to benefit from the lower prices that that participation has produced.
In the history of our migration in times of abundance we demanded and welcomed migrants.

In times of economic distress and depression we blame them, persecute them and want them deported.
Individually we may be not responsible. Individually the migrants should be responsible. But as a nation of individuals we should consider this. We are all guilty as charged of the collective damage done to individual illegal immigrants.

The British came and killed the Native American. What an ignorance and cruelty! They did what they thought was right! They were wrong. And it has cost a long effort of reconciliation and a long time of restoration. And even today there is no total and complete healing yet on this matter.

But the British men also loved the Native American girls. They all came, the Dutch, the Swedish, and Italians, and all others. They got married, girls with boys, they had children, all Americans. Their children grew up, and the native - born have now married each other.

They constructed houses, farmed the land, built institutions, churches, schools, universities, a huge civilization.

What, in the beginning, started with a Commonwealth has not ended until this day.

They built a nation as if they were building a Kingdom, a Kingdom for God to bless the people, any of them, all of them.

America was a tower of refuge and a stronghold for security, a fortress for the persecuted and a fort of peace. And still is.

They developed the whole land. They united with each other and along with values, cultures, traditions, wealth, from different backgrounds and they became and came to be known as Americans.

Here we are, native born and from other nations, a society based in the gathering of principles never seen in any other nation, a melting pot as any other nation in this planet.

Here we are, hundreds of years later, facing a challenge of huge proportions of having to decide what we will do with our inheritance.

More than 12 million (18?) of so-called illegal they can remain illegal or not - only until the Congress decides to act. It is their duty. It is our responsibility.

Maybe this time we will do it right and promote an amnesty not just for them but for all of us, once for all.