Thus they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not put to death. And he remained with her six years, hidden in the house of the LORD, while Athaliah reigned over the land. 2 Kings 11:2-3
Here’s a question that I never thought I’d never have to ask myself while living in this country: Is it unlawful to provide food to someone who’s in hiding from immigration authorities? In our community, there are many families who are here as refugees. With refugee status, they’ve been vetted and are here legally, but the current administration has ordered a reexamination of their cases. You might think this would mean scheduling and conducting interviews, but more recently, it has meant arrest and detention by ICE. So, with the ICE surge in Minnesota, there have been many refugee families who’ve gone into hiding, hoping to remain out of sight until the arrests stop. In hiding, they lack food and basic hygiene items and so, there are those in our community who would help these families obtain food and supplies while in hiding. My question then, is: Is this illegal? Am I breaking the law if I help? Am I anti-ICE?
I’m not sure it provides any concrete answers, but today’s passage tells the story of a somewhat similar situation. In the story, after King Ahaziah was executed by Jehu for worshipping Baal, his mother, Athaliah seized power. To consolidate her power, she killed anyone with a possible claim to the throne. This included attempting to murder her own grandson, who was saved and hidden by his aunt for six years in the temple. I have questions: Did the aunt consider herself an enemy to the throne? Was she trying to overthrow the queen? Or did she simply not want to see her infant nephew murdered?
I don’t consider myself anti-ICE or anti-government. I believe that both the government and ICE have legitimate jobs to do. Still, I feel for those who’ve followed the rules and have been living here legally, who’re now living under threat of arrest and deportation. I feel for them, as I know they’re hiding in fear. Do I want to help? Of course I do. When faced with human suffering, I desire to help. Does that make me a lawbreaker? I don’t see it that way, but I expect the current administration might. I’m not sure I have any answers, I just know that when faced with the chance to help alleviate the suffering of those hiding in my community, I feel compelled to help.