The two to three million  Hispanics who became citizens because of that 'meaningless compromise' might tend to disagree with you.   

How many of them do you know?  I personally know four people who became citizens because of that 'meaningless' law; two field grade Army Officers and one Master Sergeant and one civilian.

Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).  "At the time, the Immigration and Naturalization Service estimated that about four million illegal immigrants would apply for legal status through the act and that roughly half of them would be eligible."

"One study finds that the legalization of three million immigrants reduced crime by 3-5%, primarily property crime.  The author finds that this is due to greater job market opportunities for the immigrants."