My contention has always been that anyone who really “cares” about Mexicans would seal the border up tight so the Mexican government was forced to provide for the needs of their citizens.
Having the U.S. as a safety valve just allows Mexican corruption to thrive.
But, of course, on our side of the border, it has nothing to do with caring and everything to do with obtaining political power.
But it also helps to forestall a Venezuela-style Communist revolution, which the elites in both countries fear more than anything.