the rule of law has to be applied equally and consistently
if you entered illegally you need to go and then apply via the immigration system , it is as simple as that
So apply the rule of law, and deport violent criminals.
And strengthen border security at the same time. I am not proposing an open border.
For the 11M
pre-existing illegal immigrants, this so called rule of law has not been applied for many decades.
It is legally complicated as well as they have ties to the land now.
So deporting them under the guise of applying the rule of law, is not really about the application of the rule of law if we are being honest.
The real intent is far right blood and soil nationalism.
When your choice is between helping someone who is otherwise an upstanding citizen become legal residents vs destroying their families, choosing the latter, is not an intent to apply rule of law, but to purposefully hurt people.
Hence dangerous.
Instead, as you have suggested, in your second point here, give them a
legal path to citizenship (or another status that is legal).
Combined with deportation of criminals and stronger borders, it would reduce illegal immigration in the future while avoiding a humanitarian crisis in the present.
Nothing radical here.
It is quite common to enact new laws, repeal old ones, modify old ones.
I am proposing to enact new ones and modify old ones and then apply them.
It does not go against your strict "rule of law" argument.
Beyond this I am not going to keep repeating this.
I believe I have said this enough number of times