No. of Recommendations: 2
As albaby has explained (several times now), no they aren't. That's why when they are caught, they are deported. Not imprisoned.
He can - and has - provided his interpretation all he wants. The fact is they're here illegally. They made some choice or other to put themselves on the wrong side of the law. That's a fact.
Now you, and he, and everyone else here can bandy words all you want about the meaning of the words "criminal" or "illegal" all you want but none of you are really engaging in the most pertinent issue at hand:
What should be done about them?
For some reason, this board shrinks from solutions. Do you want a general amnesty? If so, what are you offering in return?