Human interest and Ethics in legal issues

In the article, "Immigrant prostitutes: victims or criminals?", the following ethical question is raised by Chief Charlie T. Deane, "I think we just have to step back from all these cases and say, 'What are we trying to achieve?' Our philosophy, the overall goal, is to protect crime victims regardless of immigration status."

I think this is somewhat similar to the question raised in the following April 2007 interview between Bill O'Reilly and Geraldo Rivera regarding the media making a raucus over a drunk driving death involving an illegal immigrant in order to make what Geraldo calls "a cheap political move" by capitalizing on a tragedy.

In really tragic situations involving human suffering, where does the law fall? I am not sure we'll find a clear cut answer, but I think this is a hugely important and complex legal and moral issue.