I can't disagree with the logic of any of this, but the labor aspect of this problem (illegal immigration) is a chicken and egg question, which came first. Over the last 30 yr in real estate it's been obvious that Americans didn't want the more menial entry positions, unless they were unionized and way over paid and compensated. As far as part timers from the high school ranks in the summer they were problematic at best.
Our business model has changed from having employees to now very few employees and mostly contractors. Almost all of the guys we use are European. They laugh at the native born Americans because they all want to be the "boss". On the few occasions I've recommended friends kids it's bit me on the backside.
I understand why contractors would hire illegal immigrants. As an employer do you want a work force that shows up on time, works hard and stays late or do you want a work force that calls in sick, is lazy, has a bad attitude and has no idea what quality means.
I want a legal work force. No exceptions.
This is the value in immigrants. They generally work their butts off and will do anything you ask, without complaint. That is, until they get into a government system and learn the ropes, then they become the biggest abusers, complainers, and defrauders.
I will limit that comment to only what I have seen, but in my career as a California state transportation engineer with Caltrans, some of the worst abuses I’ve seen from engineers are among immigrants who are permanently vested and can’t easily be fired.
I’m talking disappearing from work for hours at a time, charging overtime not worked, stealing work items to bring home, using state vehicles for private trips, etc. But hit them with discipline and they know every single union rule protecting them.