"Aiding and abetting comes to mind."
Well, if inaction about illegal aliens can be construed as aiding and abetting, there are a bunch of our elected and appointed leaders who have been doing that very thing.
I say let's go after those who actually have the power to enforce the law before we go after a bunch of nuns, for pete's sake.
You are correct in both of your statements.
However, the politicians look at the illegals as a source of power within the voting block and probably not back down from that position. Secondly, the chuch has a mandate to follow regarding helping others without question. Whether this vilolates the laws of the land, they would believe that they are following God's laws.