Macadia
The people who came to the US legally were escaping sometimes violent and.dangerous home life. The gang members they are running from can't get into the US legally so they have to get in illegally to escape their home life. Also, people from India, China and Iran will cross illegally using the Mexican US border if they get denied the other way. Deportation costs about $2,000/per person.
I have so many relatives who emigrated to the USA from the 19C onwards- they were escaping poverty, and were all economic migrants. Young men first. Single train ticket to the nearest Port and single ticket to NY and sort yourself out. Several of my relatives emigrated to Canada and re-entered USA illegally- did very well- finally got permission to stay. All contributed so much through their lifetime. Of course now 4th and 5th, 6th generation - and know very little about their foreign, immigrant origins