it's not about rewarding them for breaking the law. it's a recognition that the law itself is inherently unjust. remember that until WW1 free immigration was the norm, except of course for Chinese immigrants (one of the early examples of racism in american immigration policy).
Immigration laws have changed over the years. From approximately 1923 to 1965 immigration was practically stopped to allow for the assimilation of earlier immigrants.
Remember, immigration is supposed to benefit the accepting country first and foremost. The benefits to the foreign nationals is secondary.
The law is the law of the represented, and by this it is a just law. The law the illegals want is a law that does not represent us but is only aimed at looting us. It is so obvious.
<"the law itself is inherently unjust.">Really? Why don't you come visit my neighborhood, one that used to be well-kept and peaceful? Now, in place of beauty and peace, broken beer bottles on my sidewalks, in my garden beds, loud music, ten people living in one house next door to me--bare-chested Mexicans who spit on my sidewalks and steal the pecans from under my tree and wake me up at 5:30am with their loading their trucks with plumbing supplies and throw cigarette butts for me to sweep up, never once speaking a word of English--yes, come tell me why the law is inherently unjust.
We have laws for law-abiding citizens. Illegal aliens are usurping what legal citizens have paid for with their lives and property.
I can only assume one reason that you carry such empathy for law-breakers. Every nation has the right to set its border/immigration policies. If you don't like ours, find another country that will assume responsibility for you.
Penny
By your standards then I suspect that you also see private property rights as also inherently unjust.
Free immigration has never been the norm in the US. Immigration numbers have varied over time but there has always been a regulatory framework and never before in the history of the US has illegal immigration eclipsed regulated immigration.
Get your facts straight and then return to the fray.