Can people sneak in to any other nation illegally and then expect to be legalized and get benefits?
If you are Central American, just try to do that with Mexico. See how far you get.
Probably not; but there are issues here which make this more complex than just that. The US is no Christian nation; nor has she proven to be just to other nations, including those to her south. I think it would only seem right that someone can not pick and choose where to claim and call on justice. Claiming a country has the right to defend itself from illegal aliens, its borders, etc, is indeed fine, and a very Catholic teaching- one I am completely in agreement with. Disregarding the evils the US has extracted upon the people to her South (and other nations too, but we're mostly talking about Mexican's here) and then being upset that those people seek a better life in this country (as if you really care about immigration laws when you're starving) makes no sense to me. Its important to consider, too, that we Americans benefit from the field, sweatshop and services labor that immagrants provide- but I never hear the outcry towards big business for keeping these people employed, nor have I seen the government go after these businesses.
Perhaps its a matter of ignorance (in that people may not realize the circuмstances facing those from other lands). My mother is Mexican, and came here illegally. No one could convince me that my grandfather and grandmother were wrong from bringing their family here illegally. Again- starve or cross a border where you know people, who know you're illegal, will give you work- what woudl you choose?