Would that mean you are a person of bad character? This man saw no harm in what he did.
It's impossible not to view this as sophistry.
If I broke into a cabin and ate someone's food, I would not claim ignorance, and refuse to pay for the food and the structural damage once I returned to my normal life.
Apples and oranges...
But you would do it. You would commit criminal acts, and you would feel justified, because it saved your life, and didn't hurt anybody. You'd pay back the people for what you ate, and to fix their door, and you wouldn't doubt your character.
And we would all understand, that when your life is threatened, you could do illegal stuff and not be a bad person.
But you cannot understand how a man could see the chance to work hard and earn something for his family, and take that chance even though crossing our border without papers is illegal, and still not be a person of evil character. No, instead you say every second of his life from the moment he crossed the border is a criminal second, and illegal act, for which he should pay with everything he owns.
I reject that world view.