Complying with the law is not a "Red Herring".    Just because you evaded the law to get here does not mean you should never have to comply with the law in order to remain.  It is just an unfair advantage over those who actually did comply with the law in the first place.

I read stories of 'mules' being paid thousands of dollars to guide illegals carrying back packs of illegal drugs into the country as part of their payment to get here.  They need to spend those 'thousands of dollars' complying with the laws instead.