Illegal aliens can do it, too. They also have a path to citizenship. They only need to report to a U.S. immigration office back in their home country in order to get started.
They do that living back in their own country, not while living in ours illegally. Anyone can apply for U.S. citizenship. No one is supposed to be living in our country illegally while doing so, otherwise the word illegal holds no meaning.
There also are many who have “overstayed” their student and tourist visas - they just stay.
They need to be addressed too.
That’s correct, and that’s how. That’s the path.