Berkley Center

From 2010 to 2013, Rev. Jim Wallis taught a Georgetown course addressing questions of faith, social justice, and the political process through a series of topical classes. Though largely forgotten in an increasingly urban modern world, in this class Rev. Wallis revisits the biblical imperative to welcome the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19, Leviticus 19:34, etc.). Following many of the perspectives outlined in Matthew Soerens’s and Jenny Hwang’s 2009 book Welcoming the Stranger, this lecture applies biblical and theological insights to the issue of immigration in the United States. Wallis argues that the human face of the social, political, and economic problems caused by the current system demonstrates the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform. How can we establish immigration policies that are both compassionate and just, while respecting the rule of law? How do we make our borders secure, but do so in humane and realistic ways? Should immigration policies establish a dignified guest worker program that can lead to an earned path to citizenship? Why is immigration an issue that is dividing the country but, ironically, uniting the faith community? Having engaged in several previous unsuccessful attempts to lobby for comprehensive immigration reform, Rev. Wallis infuses his presentation with personal stories and insights gleaned from extensive advocacy on this issue, including President Barack Obama’s June 2012 announcement that his administration would stop deporting some illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. Rev. Noel Castellanos, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Ali Noorani, and Jenny Yang were featured guest speakers on the topic.