Many have said that they have been arrested without the opportunity to produce their documents, and that police have failed to protect them from assault. In theory, all this violates the Constitution. Department of Home Affairs officials have admitted that sections of the current immigration law may be unconstitutional. But the courts have not agreed. But neither they nor most citizens have acknowledged that control itself may violate human rights - and that it may also degrade our democratic system.
Immigration laws encourage corruption amongst officials.
Even if these aren't true, the allegations weaken confidence in democracy. But the whole point about rights is that they exist, whatever public opinion says. We recognise a right of free speech precisely so that people can express unpopular minority views. This is why we have a Bill of Rights rather than leaving rights up to parliament. Nor does the fact that a policy enjoys public support prevent elected politicians from warning of its dangers, particularly when it cannot be implemented.