[Just another Joe]

But surely eliminating the barriers that now prevent 10 to 12 million illegal U.S. residents from participating in the body politic

Here is what it's all about.
I don't want these illegal U.S. residents participating in the body politic.
But whichever party get's them legal status can count on about that many votes.

[Cultural Jihad]

"This'll show 'em not to break any traffic laws! I'll just cruise under the speed limit while in the fast lane, and force these I-L-L-E-G-A-L lawbreakers and line-jumpers to go around me!" --Deputy A. Retentive, The Last Defender of Western Civilization

[bayourod]

"But whichever party get's them legal status can count on about that many votes"

Only citizens can vote in federal elections. Non-citizens can not vote regardless of their legal status.

The political risk is people who are identified as Republicans making anti-Hispanic statements that will alienate all Hispanics, even the ones whose families were here before the American Revolution.