Here is Newt’s logic in a nutshell...
There is a bank robber who robbed banks years ago. He never robbed more than $5000 in any one robbery. He goes to church every Sunday. He has kids and grand kids. You can’t just throw this dude in jail now, and break up his family.
Now substitute Bank robber with illegal immigrant. He has been here for over 25 years. Goes to church regularly, has kids and grand kids. We can’t just deport him and break up his family. Get it cricket?
In most states there’s a statute of limitations on bank robbery.