"Myself, I've wondered why there aren't stiff criminal and civil penalties for anyone who hires illegals? If you put an end to the demand for illegals you'll also dry up the supply."
Because the last time around, Congress and the President (Reagan) wanted it both ways.
They wanted to be able to say they did something big about immigration.
And they wanted essentially the status quo for business, illegal immigrants. IOW no big changes.
Enforcement is a joke.
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1986/110686b.htm
"The act I am signing today is the product of one of the longest and most difficult legislative undertakings of recent memory. It has truly been a bipartisan effort, with this administration and the allies of immigration reform in the Congress, of both parties, working together to accomplish these critically important reforms. Future generations of Americans will be thankful for our efforts to humanely regain control of our borders and thereby preserve the value of one of the most sacred possessions of our people: American citizenship."
Ronald Reagan, 1986
Mebbe future presidents could incorporate the above final paragraph into their own amnesty speeches. Make it a macro.
You're right, it is. And it will continue to be until one or more of our cities is reduced to ash.