There is a border/immigration crisis but the way it is being handled and perceived (and even “fought”) is abysmal. It has alienated allies in Mexico (and even Canada) and could be solved through a more bipartisan approach with less Twittering and knee-jerk policymaking.

Here are six things that haven’t (and most likely won’t) worked so far:

• Erecting a Wall and “making the Mexicans pay for it.” (El Paso’s mayor recently said that approach is “malarkey.”)
• Finding a way to keep Mexicans from entering. Guess what, it ain’t Mexicans so much anymore–it’s Guatemalans, El. Salvadorians and Hondurans
• Erecting a Wall (round 2) and making the government (via citizens) pay for it. Word to wise, it didn’t stop El Chapo, and most illegals come through border checkpoints clandestinely.
• Splitting up families at the border to discourage them from entering. Believe it or not, it’s on the possibility list again despite the last outcry.
• Closing the border entirely–only a few billion dollars in commerce would be affected…Chump (Trump?) change? Hardly, and what happens to the new USMCA agreed upon?
• Sending all illegals to “sanctuary cities.” Guess what, Mr. Trump, most will take them willingly and then assimilate them… You don’t want that to work against you in the next election.  

Grasping at straws and throwing policy canards at a wall to see if they will stick isn’t good governance. Here’s some that are.  

• Mary O’Grady, the “Americas” columnist for the Wall Street Journal, says that the way to discourage Central American migrants is by beefing up their infrastructure, especially the electrical grid. That way industries can be developed to adequately employ their people. Mr. Trump has threatened to cut off all aid to these migrant originating countries without even suggesting sensible incentives.  
• Replace a broken system of asylum. Set up application processes with enough personnel to vet the truly endangered and traumatized. Give those released an incentive to want to come back and eventually get approved on their way to citizenship.  
• Encourage Mexican assistance to Central American migrants in a holding pattern south of the borders. At least setup camps and temporary schools. And offer a little aid to the government?  
• Recognize the fact that the U.S. needs more immigrants — even unskilled ones — to replace retiring workers and offset a decreasing birthrate among Caucasians. Expand temporary H1A agriculture visas, with better tracking upon their expiration.  
• Create an amnesty program for illegal immigrants who have been in the U.S. for at at least five years, who avoid any criminal activity, and who sign a pledge willing to work toward becoming citizens.   It is not just the United States that is struggling with migration issues. The world is full of dispossessed, oppressed and poverty-stricken peoples seeking better lives across borders.

Ultimately, overpopulation and population distribution issues must be focused upon, and birth control made more universal despite religious objections. The planet is full and getting fuller.   None of these proposals need to be adopted immediately but without them, the situation just gets worse. Think about it.