I think what we are seeing is less a clash between right and wrong than a clash between an Old Testament worldview, in which the survival of the people trumps individual rights, and a New Testament worldview in which individual rights (and responsibilities) are primary.  The former worldview, dominant in the largely evangelical south, sees life in us-vs.-them terms and sees justice in terms of an eye for an eye. The latter worldview, dominant in sectors where large immigrant populations are present, sees life in we're-in-this-together terms and sees justice as defense of individual rights.  Each group appeals to the Judeo-Christian scriptures to support the idea that they're doing God's work on earth.