As thousands of families fleeing violence, poverty and oppression in Central America arrive at the American border, the Trump administration has responded by separating children and parents and cracking down on asylum claims. A more humane, and effective, response would be to address the sources of the desperation that propelled these people north. Plagued by corruption, violence and gang terror, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras need stronger and more honest judges and police officers, better schools and economic development. Elites control much of the land and avoid taxes, even at some of the lowest tax rates in Latin America. Over the years, the United States has contributed to instability by supporting autocrats in civil wars and tolerating corruption that has bred criminality.

Source: New York Times February 25, 2019 23:48 UTC