Leviticus and aliens

I have heard the Bible described as a book which should not be taken literally, but which is always true. As I was reading through Leviticus I came across this commandment of God to Moses and was struck by it's relevance to our times:

When an alien resides with you in your land,
you shall not oppress the alien.

The alien who resides with you shall be to you as a citizen among you;
you shall love the alien as yourself,
for you were aliens in the land of Egypt:
I am the Lord your God.


Leviticus 33-37

In the aftermath of 9/11, perhaps the temptation to hunt immigrants can seem justified, but I think that is fear talking.