Am I supposed to grieve for them?

Imagine the situation. A person knowingly, deliberately breaks the law because the rewards are greater than the punishment. They then break a second law and through that gain employment. Meanwhile, a company knowingly aids and abets that person. The company is aware of the illegal status but likes the cheap labor.
Fast forward. The government cracks down on this combination of crime. The company stands to lose money.

A lot of money.

Should I feel bad for that company?

Of course, some people will fall back on the spurious "people aren't illegal" nonsense. Nobody is saying they are. They are saying their actions are illegal.

So Swift figures to lose 30 million when illegal workers using stolen identities get rounded up. Who should I feel sorry for? The people who broke not just the possibly poor immigration laws and got swept in with the people who participated in the identity theft, whether they did the stealing themselves or simply made use of things they knew did not belong to them?

The sad thing is, there are no "innocents" here. Nor is the immigration question a "victimless crime" as some would claim...including, at times in the past, myself. On the one hand, I really appreciate the loyalty and dedication of people who send money home to their families. On the other hand...that is money the economy here could use. Admittedly the economy is booming if you look at it through an apolitical lense. Unemployment is at near-record lows and wages are up. So theoretically there is no harm being done.

However, the money that leaves for Mexico, Cuba, Thailand, Laos, etc. does not return. That is money removed from circulation for purposes such as taxing me to pay for welfare, social security, schools, and so forth. That indirectly adds to my tax burden which I already resent. Thus the theoretical no-harm argument also falls by the wayside. Does that mean I wish ill on those people?Absolutely not. I appreciate anyone who comes to the country, participates, and...wait for it, because here comes the controversial part...assimilates.

I admit that one thing deciding my stance on these issues is the idiots out there waving their Mexican flags. Dude...you LEFT that country because it sucked. You risked your life to get out of there. Don't wave your flag in my face. Don't demand I speak your language and cater to your culture. Assimilate, not create conflict.

Yes, I do find it offensive when people praise "diversity" and other such buzz words that try to convince you that criminal actions should be ignored, friction inducing acts should be praised, and anyone who believes otherwise is in the wrong. Nope. Being law-abiding, seeking to retain unity, participating in the existing culture...these things are to be praised.

And complaining because you broke the law and aided other lawbreakings and now are going to lose money? Cry me a river. I hope you go bankrupt.