As Americans, we are called to care for the safety and security of our nation. Protecting innocent lives and upholding the rule of law are paramount responsibilities. However, recent revelations about more than 13,000 immigrants convicted of homicide living outside of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention raise serious concerns about the federal government’s commitment to this responsibility.

This troubling situation isn’t just about bureaucratic inefficiency—it’s a reflection of a deeper problem: the erosion of accountability under the Biden-Harris administration. Under their watch, the number of non-detained noncitizens tracked by ICE has ballooned from 3 million in 2020 to nearly 8 million today. Among them are thousands of criminals, including convicted murderers, who remain unaccounted for. This is not simply a political failure—it is a moral failure.

A Biblical Mandate for Justice

In Romans 13:1-4, the Apostle Paul reminds us that governments are instituted by God to punish evil and reward good. Those in positions of authority have a responsibility to maintain justice and protect the innocent. When our government fails to deport dangerous criminals, it is failing to fulfill one of its most basic God-given responsibilities.

The Biden administration’s lack of action on this front has placed the safety of American citizens at risk. It is not just negligence; it is an abandonment of the duty to protect the people it was elected to serve. Allowing convicted murderers and other criminals to live freely among us, often undetected or inadequately tracked, violates the trust we place in our leaders.

A Failure of Will

The data provided by ICE to Congress reveals that many of these criminal immigrants are not prioritized for detention or deportation. The excuses are varied: some are serving time for other crimes, others are lost in the system, and ICE often lacks cooperation from local authorities. These bureaucratic hurdles, however, should not be allowed to jeopardize public safety. In many cases, foreign governments refuse to take back their criminal citizens. This is where leadership matters.

The Trump administration set a precedent for holding countries accountable when they refused to accept their deported citizens. The U.S. has leverage—whether through tariffs, sanctions, or withholding visas—to compel nations like China, Venezuela, and others to take responsibility for their own criminals. Unfortunately, the current administration lacks the political will to act decisively. Instead of prioritizing the safety of American citizens, the Biden-Harris administration appears more concerned with appeasing foreign governments and promoting a lenient immigration policy that undermines our national security.

The Christian Call to Justice and Mercy

Some may argue that deportation and strict immigration enforcement are incompatible with Christian values of mercy and compassion. However, this view misunderstands the biblical concept of justice. While Christians are indeed called to show mercy, we are also commanded to uphold justice. Proverbs 28:5 states, “Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.” There is no conflict between showing compassion to the innocent and enforcing the law to protect them from harm.

Mercy must not come at the expense of justice. Yes, we are to care for the sojourner and the stranger (Leviticus 19:34), but that does not mean turning a blind eye to those who have committed serious crimes. It is neither loving nor compassionate to allow murderers and other criminals to remain in our communities unchecked. Justice requires that those who break the law—whether citizen or non-citizen—face the consequences of their actions.

A Call to Action

The failure to deport convicted criminals, including murderers, is not just a political issue; it is a moral issue. The American people deserve better. As citizens, we must demand stronger immigration enforcement policies and hold our leaders accountable for their failures. The safety of our families, our neighbors, and our communities is at stake.

We cannot allow leniency and political correctness to override our commitment to law and order. The solution is clear: we need an administration willing to enforce immigration laws and take a hard line against countries that refuse to take back their criminal citizens. President Trump demonstrated that this is possible. Now, more than ever, we need strong leadership to restore accountability and protect the safety of our nation.

In the words of the prophet Micah, we are called “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God” (Micah 6:8). Doing justice means holding criminals accountable and ensuring that our immigration policies protect the innocent. This is a call for action and prayer, that our leaders would have the courage and conviction to defend the American people and uphold the rule of law.