However (you knew there had to be a however) I have two points for you. First, addressing the hiring of illegals doesn't obviate the need to enforce our borders, particularly for those who live there and have to live with the violent criminal behavior that accomponies the flesh trade. There are hundreds of murders, robberies and rapes over the last couple of decades along the border attributable to the illegals. That doesn't count the vandalism and environmental destruction, nor the risks of "non-mexican" illegals, such as Iraqis or Suadis, who also exploit our lax border controls. The "vigilantes," as you choose to perjoratively label them, are closely allied with the indian nations of the border area because all of these people see their homes and way of life being destroyed by people who don't give a damn about anyone or anything.
My second point is that if you would give advice to the people you criticize about needing to come to your place of employment, I would ask why you haven't reported the illegal activity that you know is going on? If you have reported them and nothing was done then what is your answer to those who say that the law is broken or unenforced? It's not up to "them," whoever they may be. It's up to us. That's you and me. If you know of illegals being employed at your work site then you should call the INS. If you have reported it and those reports are ignored then it's up to you to publicize that fact. FOX News and CNN would probably both jump at such a juicy story. That's what being a citzen in a republic is all about.
Now, me, I see being an American as being a borderline anarchist. We are a nation of rogues, or, to take something from my own Scottish heritage, a nation of rievers (look it up, it's kinda fun). I love Newt Gingrich's description of the speed limit as observed in Germany and the US. In Germany, if they passed a strict speed limit on the Autobahn then all Germans would abide by it, but would then vote in the "no speed limit party" at the next election. In America we view a speed limit as a "benchmark of opportunity." I love the phrase.
Bottom line, I agree with the principle that unchecked vigilantes are as much a threat as the law breakers, but I firmly believe that, proprely supervised, citzen's have the responsibility to enforce the laws of our society. Otherwise we either lose (read that as die) or we turn into a police state.
I actually have a great affection for those that have braved the dangers of crossing the border to make their way here. If they are able to get through the hurdles involved then they've proved to me that they are the kind of folks we want here. That affection is tempered by the recent phenomenon of La Raza's movement "La Reconquista." These avowed marxists and racists wish to overwhelm the American's (of all ethnic backgrounds) in the US southwest and turn those states, including California, Arizona and New Mexico, into the northern part of "America del Norte." The rest of this marxist workers paradise is the northern provinces of Mexico (which isn't socialist enough for them). That movement puts the whole question in a whole different light. I want people to come here who want to be Americans. I want to defeat people who want to come here and take over and kick everyone else (including you and me) out, or kill us. It's really come down to that.
Parents who would endanger their childrens' lives to come over illegally (they all have a choice to come illegally or apply to come legally) are not the kind of people we need in this country. This was child abuse.