U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Tuesday that the Bible supports national borders and immigration enforcement, responding to remarks by Pope Leo that cited Christian scripture to criticize U.S. deportation policies under President Donald Trump.

Speaking to reporters at the U.S. Capitol, Johnson was asked about the pope’s reference to Matthew 25:35, which calls on believers to welcome the foreigner. Johnson said scripture allows nations to maintain borders and grants civil authorities responsibility for enforcing laws, according to video of the exchange carried by Newsmax.

“Borders and walls are biblical,” Johnson said, adding that while individuals are instructed to welcome strangers, governments are tasked with maintaining order. He cited passages from Romans that describe civil authorities as responsible for punishing wrongdoing and preserving social stability.

Q: Pope Leo cited Matthew 25:35 to critique Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda. How would you respond to Pope Leo in scripture?

MIKE JOHNSON: Sovereign borders are biblical and right and just. It's not because we hate the people on the outside. It's because we love the… pic.twitter.com/eS4A5dtXRt

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 3, 2026

Johnson said immigration itself is not condemned in scripture but argued that migrants are expected to assimilate into the societies they enter and obey local laws. He also repeated claims that millions of undocumented migrants entered the United States during the Biden administration, asserting that some posed security risks.

The exchange followed comments by Pope Leo earlier this month urging “deep reflection” in the United States about the treatment of migrants under Trump’s administration, according to Reuters. Speaking 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 enforcement actions.

“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 to minister to detainees and said the spiritual needs of migrants should be respected.

Pope Leo urges deep reflection in the U.S. on migrant treatment under Trump, citing long-term residents affected by recent policies https://t.co/hjTU7kwIfu pic.twitter.com/KAYVAHmhtZ

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 4, 2025

After his Capitol remarks, Johnson published a longer statement on X, as promised, that he said he had drafted during the Biden administration, outlining what he called the biblical case for border security and immigration enforcement.

In the post, Johnson argued that scriptural commands to care for strangers are directed at individual believers rather than governments. He said the Bible establishes separate spheres of authority for individuals, families, churches and civil government, each with different responsibilities, and that civil authorities are tasked with enforcing laws and maintaining order.

Johnson said passages often cited in support of welcoming migrants, including Leviticus 19:34 and Matthew 25, must be read in context. He wrote that these teachings instruct individuals to show charity and hospitality, but do not override the role of government in enforcing laws. He cited Romans 13 in arguing that civil authorities are authorized to punish wrongdoing and preserve public order.

In the press gaggle following today's vote, I was asked to defend the Biblical case for border security and immigration enforcement. I did so, and then promised to post a longer explanation that I drafted during the Biden Administration. Here it is, and I hope it's helpful:… pic.twitter.com/tHC4kf7uEC

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) February 3, 2026

He also argued that the Bible supports the existence of distinct nations and borders, pointing to Old and New Testament references to separate peoples and territorial boundaries. Johnson said maintaining secure borders is a defensive measure intended to protect communities rather than exclude outsiders.

Johnson criticized what he described as “open borders” policies under President Joe Biden, claiming that more than 10 million undocumented migrants entered the United States during that period. He asserted that the influx included violent criminals and people on terrorism watchlists and said drug trafficking and human smuggling had increased, though he did not cite specific government data in the post.

He said the federal government has legal authority to restrict immigration and pointed to a provision of U.S. law that allows a president to suspend the entry of certain categories of migrants if their entry is deemed harmful to national interests.

Johnson concluded that Christians should support immigration enforcement while also practicing personal compassion toward migrants. He wrote that justice and mercy are not in conflict and said securing the border and upholding immigration law are consistent with Christian teaching and national sovereignty.

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 remarks have drawn pushback from conservative Catholic leaders and U.S. officials aligned with the administration.

Johnson said he welcomed further debate on the issue and described immigration enforcement as both lawful and morally justified, while emphasizing that individuals should still show compassion to migrants in personal conduct.