just confused - can illegal imm get car registration?

The car's owner is on the car. While he can argue that he was not the driver, is he still liable though? Even if they are illegal, since their car is impounded by the police, will it be possible that we can set up some liens to their car?

At this point, I guess I can care less about the monetary loss. I just don't understand how these people can get off-hooked if they caused damage and messed up with other people's life.