It's much easier for them to label those of us expecting adherence to immigration laws on the books as racists, extremists, and yes, xenophobes. Expecting those in top offices of federal, state, and city governments to obey immigration law is not tolerated by those who call themselves tolerant (they are nothing short of delusional).
Those with special interests for seeing the law broken (activist groups, attorneys, judges and politicians) see bankruptcy of states as just another means to achieve nothing less than total amnesty. It's hard times out here in the USA and about time politicians, lobbyists and activists learned first-hand what unemployment is like, just like the rest of us. If they can't perform their jobs, they should be replaced.
Blame the media.
Can you IMAGINE the footage “displaced victims,” “separated families,” deported “honor students,” and the like that would hit the air? Or the questions politician would face for acting in California’s and America’s public interest?
No politician that wants to keep his job will ever allow Immigration and Law Enforcement to do anything about illegal immigrants.
That’s why folks like me support a secure border. It politically viable, and, if we can reduce the number of invaders, we might be able to assimilate the ones already. Maybe. If we start believing in the USA - borders language and culture - again.