Immigration sits at the heart of the very complex United States society. Every single day, thousands of persons join lengthy visa lines, trek across continents, brave wide open oceans, risk their life scaling mountainous terrains or wade through reptile infested swamps in their desperation to get to the United States.
America is the top global destination for persons looking for greener pastures. It is the adopted home of over 52 million immigrants, which accounts for over 17% of all global migrants.
People of opposing ideologies, races, creed, cultures and religions live and work together, while raising families in a bubbling cosmopolitan pepperpot where differences are tolerated and even celebrated.
Across the 52 states, migrants from nearly every country in the world congregate. It is normal for Russian migrants to marry into American families, Chinese moguls to head major conglomerates – employing Taiwanese and others. Many Israelis and Palestinians study together, live in adjoining apartments, work for the same companies and eat at the same restaurants. Muslim extremists rub shoulders with devout Christians, Buddhists and Hindus in a religious metropolis where humanity in its various forms must blend.
Within this potpourri of cultures, millions in various diaspora groups maintain robust, multifaceted links with their homelands. They live in the US, but are actively engaged in the economic, social, and political spheres back home. They do this regardless of how long they may be domicile in the United States and how dedicated they may be to the pursuit of the American dream.
Enabled by modern technology and travel, immigrants foster transnational ties—including sending home remittances, maintaining dual citizenship, and preserving cultural, emotional, or political connections.
In 2024, global remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries were estimated at $905 billion. These funds typically cover 60% of a receiving family’s household income, primarily for food, medical expenses, and education. The United States is the largest source of international remittances globally, as the majority of immigrants hold down multiple jobs and endure wickedness at work in order to consistently send money to families and communities.
Modern digital tools like WhatsApp and social media have shifted the immigrant experience from one of partial separation to constant, daily connection. Immigrants use video calls and messaging apps to participate in family events and maintain relationships remotely.
Second generation immigrants, who are born and raised in the US, are taught about the birthplace of their parents, and they habour an unquenchable euphoric hunger for a place many have never visited. This leads to divided loyalties rather than exclusive attachment to the U.S.
Divided loyalties in modern America is generally frowned upon, but racist Americans, who believe they have stronger links to the land constantly point ‘immigrants’ to the exit door.
This ‘anti-immigration’ wave was among the strong political currents which swept Donald Trump into the White House in 2024. Trump’s claim that American citizens need to be protected from an “invasion” of foreign nationals remains fodder for the comedic, as the majority of Americans are immigrants or direct descendants of immigrants.
Furthermore, formal studies consistently show that immigrants in the United States, including those who are undocumented, are there primarily for work and are less likely to commit or be convicted of violent crimes compared to U.S.-born citizens.
Moreover, immigrants from Christian nations would have been exposed to the gospel and remain disposed to righteous pursuits despite the whirlwind of religious plurality that is now on show in the US.
Nevertheless, within the first four months of the Trump administration, some 773,000 immigrants left the country. By 2025, nearly one million foreign-born workers exited the US workforce. The departure of these workers was like a Category 5 hurricane slamming into crucial industries like agriculture and construction. This immediately sent shock waves to Wall Street and the wider economy.
The Trump administration was forced to come to terms with the fact that immigration is the fundamental fuel that keeps these vital US industries turning. Outside of that, not even the Christian church in American understands that it is also a magnificent ministry opportunity to spread the gospel globally.
Immigration enables connections, communication and integration with foreign cultures. It opens the doors for Christian missionaries to link with families in remote parts of the world. It builds trust so that nations will welcome the gospel of Christ in their own language. It provides Christian businesses and professionals with reasonable access to struggling countries. Christian experts could assist undeveloped nations to restructure and expand their economies, while shining the light of righteousness across the far reaches of a dark world.
The benefits of universal diversity might have been lost on the American government, but the Christian church, strategically planted in this cosmopolitan metropolis, must actively use this gift of multi-culturalism to advance the mission of spreading the gospel to every nation, across the globe.
