Some illegal aliens are here against their will as well. And, as I pointed out, some are escaping from even harsher living conditions than slaves were subjected to in 1860. Bottom line, though, both groups "broke the law" crossing over the border. We know that people like Racehorse would have fully prosecuted those assisting runaway slaves - the only question left is should those running the underground railroad have only "given them food and turned them in"?
You need to better describe "against their will." Surely, you're not making equivalent the plight of someone trafficked for sexual exploitation, for instance, (who believed they were legally brought into the country) with someone intentionally crossing the border for work cleaning up New Orleans.
We know that people like Racehorse would have fully prosecuted those assisting runaway slaves - the only question left is should those running the underground railroad have only "given them food and turned them in"?
What was their duty under the law? The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850
I routinely violate the traffic laws (well, not so routinely anymore), some through sheer carelessness and some through willful disregard. Because so many laws are on the books, I'm sure there are many others I violate through simple ignorance. What should I do? I should obey the laws.
Most are not. There is nothing like the "Potatoe" Famine ravaging the region south of the border.