The problem with the so-called "dreamers" is that, techincally-speaking, most of them have not committed any *criminal* offense. Entering the country illegally (or over-staying a visa) is a crime, but many of the "dreamers" did so as children - this guy, for instance, was 11 - so it's tough to charge them criminally.
Remaining in the country without documentation is a violation of civil, not criminal law, which subjects one to deportation, but not criminal sanctions. The so-called "dreamers" should be deported (to do otherwise gives too great an incentive to bring children here), but calling them "criminals" isn'quite accurate.
I am alm ost certain that it is a crime to cross into our country illegally. Bet I can find more than 1 description of such in the Patriot Act alone!!!