(BTW,I'm an American of Mexican descent, 3rd generation.)
Look, lotsa people of all colors/ethnicities have chips on their shoulders. Young people especially. They take it for granted and they don't have a lot to loose. The ones at the bottom of the ladder are especially troublesome -- if they get fired they'll be employed the next day at a temp job. I've seen it happen time and time again. There really isn't much to loose other than a day or two's pay. (This doesn't mean everybody at these jobs has bad work ethics and bad attitudes.)
Illegal immigrants have plenty to lose if they lose their jobs. Sure, they can always stand on the street corner waiting for work but 1. That doesn't guarantee steady income and 2. The money might not be as good and 3. There is some sense of pride in having a job and not bum rushing cars coming to pick you up for work -- and maybe rip you off by not paying you.
Many have come from really poor neighborhoods (go to TJ some time and check it out.) Giving el jeffe a bad attitude is not really an option. They remember where they came from, and the threat to them if they are deported, etc. There is always the fear that the boss knows you are illegal and can turn you in and claim he didn't know till now or something. (Might be unfounded, but it prolly is a big worry).
Based upon the way people act, I would hire an illegal alien (or an older citizen) before some young citizen for low level or blue collar type job. I can't remember the last time I was given attitude by an illegal (they are all over). I do remember the last time my local postal worker gave an attitude!
I also know how my Grandfather worked hard to rise from virtually nothing. I know how hard my father worked as a career soldier in the Army (who made E-9 CSM) so we could have a better life than he did. But I look around at young people to day and they are just complacent in their jobs working at the docks, warehouses, etc and still living with mommy.
We have to remember that people get trapped in cultural and economic constraints when life is relatively good. I've tried time and time again to get such people to go to school, or start a business, or do something else to better their financial life. They like the idea and get jazzed up, but two years later they are at the same type of job and haven't really gone anywhere.
We have to admit that a large cross section of our society is complacent (sure they gripe, but don't do much else).
It's like me saying all hispanics are lazy or are illegals. You and I both know better.
Personally, I kind of like the idea that people can quit if their employer doesn't offer safe working conditions, decent pay, benefits or what have you without the void being filled with illegals.
It's called competition. Employees must compete for their wages, generally considered to be a good thing. The reverse side of the coin is employers must compete for their labor, that's where good wages, bonuses, benefits and perks come from.
Besides, the US owes nothing to third world countries. Our immigration should be to our benefit, not theirs. And it sends a really crappy message to people who filled out the forms, did the right thing and waited because they really want to be an American citizen (and to have all the Right's & perks that accompany that) to let someone who simply jumped a fence for a quick buck in ahead of them.
It's insulting and it's unfair.
The government needs to be taught to fear US - its own citizens - and NOT the illegals whom we might offend. Millions of American citizens must demand immigration law enforcement before we lose our country. That destruction of America is happening before us as we wring our hands.