Point taken, but we are now living with a government that is progressively criminalizing it's citizenry while at the same time writing themselves a pass on every violation of the Constitution where it gets in their way. I don't have the answers. Well, maybe I have an idea or two, but without the force of huge numbers of people it wouldn't work anyway. We have become conditioned to cower before their demands, no matter how irrational or even illegal.
I think an active citizenry COULD contribute a great deal to the ferreting out of illegals and a great many would be happy to do so but what is the point as long as we are dealing with spineless bureaucrats who refuse to enforce the laws?