U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that the Bible supports the idea of national borders and the enforcement of immigration law, responding to recent remarks by Pope Leo criticizing U.S. deportation policies under President Donald Trump.
Speaking with reporters at the U.S. Capitol, Johnson was asked about the pope’s reference to Matthew 25:35 — a passage that urges believers to welcome the foreigner. Johnson argued that while scripture calls individuals to show hospitality, it also recognizes the role of civil government in maintaining order and enforcing laws, citing video of the exchange carried by Newsmax.
“Borders and walls are biblical,” Johnson said. He added that personal charity and public governance are not the same thing, and pointed to the Book of Romans as describing civil authorities as responsible for restraining wrongdoing and protecting social stability.
Johnson also said immigration itself is not condemned in scripture, but contended that newcomers are expected to follow the laws of the country they enter and integrate into the society. He repeated claims that large numbers of undocumented migrants entered the U.S. during the Biden administration and asserted — without providing specific data during the exchange — that some posed security risks.
The comments came after Pope Leo urged “deep reflection” on how migrants are being treated under Trump-era enforcement actions, according to Reuters. Speaking earlier this month in Castel Gandolfo, the pope cited Matthew’s Gospel and said people who had lived in the United States for years without causing problems had been affected by recent policies.
“Jesus says very clearly at the end of the world, we’re going to be asked how did you receive the foreigner,” the pope said, according to Reuters. He also called for authorities to allow pastoral workers access to detainees and said migrants’ spiritual needs should be respected.
After his remarks at the Capitol, Johnson followed through on a promise to publish a longer statement on X, saying he had drafted it during the Biden administration. In that post, he laid out what he described as a “biblical case” for border security and immigration enforcement.
Johnson argued that commands to care for strangers are primarily directed at individual believers, not governments. He framed the Bible as establishing different spheres of responsibility — individuals, families, churches, and civil government — each with distinct duties. In his view, government’s duty includes enforcing laws and preserving public order.
He also said frequently cited passages such as Leviticus 19:34 and Matthew 25 should be read in context. Those teachings, he wrote, call individuals to show hospitality and compassion, but do not eliminate a government’s authority to enforce immigration laws. He again pointed to Romans 13 to support the idea that civil authorities are authorized to restrain wrongdoing.
Johnson further argued that scripture recognizes distinct nations and territorial boundaries, citing references across both the Old and New Testaments. He characterized border security as a defensive measure meant to protect communities rather than a moral statement about outsiders.
Turning to U.S. policy, Johnson criticized what he called “open borders” under President Joe Biden, claiming more than 10 million undocumented migrants entered during that period. He asserted the influx included violent criminals and people on terrorism watchlists and said drug trafficking and human smuggling increased, though he did not cite specific government data in the post.
He also pointed to a provision of U.S. law that allows a president to suspend entry of certain categories of migrants if their entry is deemed harmful to national interests.
Johnson concluded by urging Christians to support immigration enforcement while still practicing personal compassion toward migrants. He said justice and mercy are not in conflict, and argued that upholding immigration law and maintaining national sovereignty can align with Christian teaching.
The Vatican has previously criticized U.S. immigration policies under Trump, and Leo — the first U.S.-born pope — has spoken against what he described as harsh treatment of migrants. His comments have drawn pushback from conservative Catholic leaders and U.S. officials aligned with the administration.
Johnson said he welcomed continued debate, describing immigration enforcement as lawful and morally justified — while emphasizing that individuals should still treat migrants with compassion in their personal conduct.
