'The Bible is not a policy manual’: Christians reckon with immigration under Trump

This episode of NPR's Up First explores the intersection of religion, politics, and immigration policy in the United States, focusing on how the Trump administration has increasingly used biblical language and imagery to justify immigration enforcement actions. Journalist Brittany Luce hosts a conversation with NPR religion correspondent Jason DeRose and Reverend Dr. Gabriel Salguero, a Latino evangelical leader, to examine how government messaging—such as DHS videos quoting the Beatitudes alongside images of immigration raids—distorts religious texts to serve political ends. The guests emphasize that while the Bible is not a policy manual, its teachings on welcoming the stranger, caring for the marginalized, and justice are central to Christian ethics. They critique the selective use of scripture by conservative leaders, especially white evangelicals, to promote strict border enforcement, while ignoring the fact that many of those detained are themselves Christian. The discussion also unpacks the myth of Christian persecution in America, highlighting the nation’s deep religious pluralism and the contradiction of claiming to defend faith while targeting fellow believers. Ultimately, the episode calls for a more nuanced, contextually grounded understanding of faith in public life.