"Ye Are No More Strangers and Foreigners": Theological and Economic Perspectives on the LDS Church and Immigration

Immigration policy is a controversial topic in 2018. In response to refugee crises and legal situations that can break up families, the LDS Church announced its "I Was a Stranger" relief effort and released a statement encouraging solutions that strengthens families, keeps them together, and extends compassion to those seeking a better life. This article seeks to shed light on a correct understanding of immigration and its effects. Walker Wright gives a brief scriptural overview of migration, explores the public's attitudes toward immigration, and reviews the empirical economic literature, which shows that (1) fears about immigration are often overblown or fueled by misinformation and (2) liberalizing immigration restrictions would have positive economic effects.