They are in the country illegally. It has nothing to do with how or when they got here; it has nothing to do with the intent or absence of intent of the child.
The 7-year old did not commit a crime by being brought here illegally as a child, because such a child is not held to criminal liability. However, once they reach the age of 18 they are, in fact, breaking the law by remaining here.
However, if they are under age 18, they should, by law, be deported. They do not deserve to be imprisoned, or fined, for coming here illegally as children, or for remaining here as children, but they do deserve to be deported. Then, they can apply to come in legally.
When the government ignores the rule of law, the rule of law becomes meaningless.
I would make these four observations:
1. You end up having to do a secret security clearance episode....no matter what service or what job you do. Typically, it means an arrest record check, and conviction check. If they can’t come to some conclusion....like you spent your whole life in El Salvador, and they can’t get to the records....you don’t pass the clearance. I’m kinda curious....will they waive the clearance, and just let a bunch of these guys remain on duty, with no clearance (an entire new concept)?
2. Most of these guys don’t speak English to any degree where you could attend a military training school (tank repair, supply, admin, computers, etc). Same issue for boot-camp. How would you take “Juan” and get him through Marine boot-camp and give him a trade?
3. Some, not all, but some of these illegals are really just agents of some drug-cartel gang. Are we capable of determining this and weeding out the prospects? If not....we are simply bringing the cartel into secure operations and discovering eight years from now that we have 150 agents within the US military who work for the cartels.
4. Finally...no matter what service we are talking about....the illegals will have to socialize and train with regular American guys/gals. Their social status, and voting habits will end up changing as they get more into the “system”. I hate to suggest this...but if you allowed ten thousand into the service....probably ninety percent of them would end up as conservative voters down the line.