To me, it's not black and white. As at least one poster said (Motown Bombers, maybe?) it's not as easy to come here as it used to be. There are people who came here quickly because they were in a dire situation in their home countries. There are people who were brought here as young children who have no memory of their home countries. Or, they've put down roots and no longer have a life anywhere but here. Many of them are pillars of their communities and we're better off with them than without them. So perhaps the only real difference is that the ones with legal status were fortunate enough to be able to obtain permission to stay.
In many cases-yes, I'm defending them. Though TBH Oblong said it better than I can in a post from earlier today.