Introduction

Immigration policy is among the most significant and contentious issues in political discourse worldwide. This chapter makes the case for religion as a driving factor in shaping public attitudes toward immigration – attitudes that lead to national policy. The term “religion” is understood in two overlapping ways: (1) beliefs and practices and (2) belonging to a communal identity, sometimes understood as a national identity. Both of these have a powerful influence on immigration policy in different ways. When religious identity overlaps with national identity, religion can be used to generate policies that are hostile toward members of another religion. Yet the scriptures of Christianity and Judaism contain many appeals to welcome and protect disadvantaged strangers.