As sad as it may be I don't think the average US citizen is concerned about a 5-hour delay for non-citizens at the border. The ordinary Joe is likely to be OK with 200 people being delayed if that results in a few people being deported and 1 person being hauled off to jail (which is pretty much what the OP said happened). I have a feeling the "average" consensus would be that it was worth in in order to keep those 4 people out.
I'm not saying I agree with this whatsoever - I'm just saying my gut tells me this mentality is likely to get you more votes if you are running for office in a border state. The average citizen is not thinking about the relatively small number of skilled IT workers and entrepreneurs entering the country. They are thinking about all of the unskilled labor that is coming in and "taking their jobs" as some people perceive.
That, plus I'm sure there is an aspect of "doesn't affect me - I have my own problems to worry about".
I'm not saying I agree with this whatsoever - I'm just saying my gut tells me this mentality is likely to get you more votes if you are running for office in a border state. The average citizen is not thinking about the relatively small number of skilled IT workers and entrepreneurs entering the country. They are thinking about all of the unskilled labor that is coming in and "taking their jobs" as some people perceive.
That, plus I'm sure there is an aspect of "doesn't affect me - I have my own problems to worry about".