In this instance, he's correct. Those above the fray fail to recognize how our porous souther border causes us to appear weak internationally and how this threatens our endeavors elsewhere such as Iraq and Afganistan.
Better that the illegals perceive us as "tough hombres" than a soft-underbelly to be exploited at will by peasants, gangsters, and who-knows-what at their descretion.
Do you really think the folks over in Iraq and Afganistan, having seen up close US firepower, really think your country is weak? You can't seriously believe that.