Wisconsin Senate candidate Eric Hovde discusses the 2024 election and top issues facing voters at the ballot box in November.

Since the Naturalization Act of 1790, immigration has been a consistently contentious issue in American politics. Throughout history, America’s religious leaders have offered guidance and opinions on immigration, in general terms and concerning specific legislation.

In recent years, much of this religious guidance has centered on a verse from the Torah (the sacred text for Jews and Christians, from Genesis-Deuteronomy). This is Leviticus 19:33, which states: "The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love them as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."

A nation must secure its borders. It should welcome immigrants, particularly with special skills, who share its values and can build its economy. (Reuters)

This verse, along with its variations in Numbers and Deuteronomy, is frequently cited by religious leaders advocating for minimal border protection and maximum immigration. As the Torah is not a position paper, it is almost always problematic to base a policy upon one verse. Indeed, a more comprehensive examination of the Torah reveals deeper and more nuanced guidance that would strengthen America in many ways.

In Deuteronomy 32, Moses says: "When the Most High gave nations their inheritance… He set up boundaries of peoples." Nations and their borders, according to Moses, are essential and divinely sanctioned elements of a nation.

AN IMMIGRANT’S PERSPECTIVE: AMERICANS MUST PERSEVERE TO REGAIN OUR INDEPENDENCE IN 2024

The question then arises: How secure should these borders be?

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