>> If they see a speeder on the highway, do they draw guns upon them, too? > Nope, but then that's not a felony.
Neither did these women and children commit a felony, assuming it was their first time crossing. Now, the vigilante clowns did commit felonies.
Does the law as it is written make only repeat offenses of border crossing a felony?
I'd try digging up the law section myself, but I'm not that familiar with how to find federal codes online.