Since the inception of his second term, domestic media has reveled in criticizing President Trump’s every act, from policy decisions to his executive orders. Their latest target of ire is his proposed tariffs against Mexico, Canada, and China aimed to address undocumented immigration and curb the inflow of fentanyl. For instance, the Associated Press asked: “[w]hat did US get from deals to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico? Not that much…” That article goes on to quote a foreign relations expert: “It did not get the United States much at all from what it already had substantively.” Newsweek questioned whether Mexican troops would make any difference, writing “the significance of Mexico’s concession is questionable. It matched actions Mexico took to shore up its borders in 2019 and 2021.” Another article observed that “even those who believe tariffs are useful think Trump’s trade war makes ‘zero sense.’” Others criticized the economic effect of the proposed tariffs. Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, stated he was “concerned these new tariffs will further drive up costs for American consumers.” Indeed, criticism of Trump’s proposed trade war filled talk show hosts’ monologues as well as social media. Jimmy Kimmel called the situation “the world’s dumbest trade war,” stating that “Donald Trump has been president for two weeks as of today” and “[a]ll hell has broken loose in almost every possible way.”

But what if everyone is wrong? Instead of questioning the President’s intellect and even suggesting in a host of ways and in a myriad of settings that he is senile, perhaps Trump was playing three-dimensional chess while everyone was watching a checkers game. As an immigration and constitutional law scholar that did not vote for Trump in any election and has criticized him publicly in op-eds and law review articles, we all need to appreciate that our concerns about the President on different issues can and too often do cloud honest appraisal when he actually achieves victories. In what is certain to cause deep dislike and criticism from fellow travelers, I firmly believe those that support immigration reform need to appreciate honest debate concerning immigrant rights. Immigration reform cannot successfully occur without a secure border. It is a national security issue, plain and simple. One that every country needs to contend with, no matter who is in power and what party is setting the policy.

Is it possible that Trump’s proposed trade war was at best a tool to motivate our neighbors to the south to get them to assist us in securing our southern border, or at worst, was a ruse to force Mexico to take more responsibility at the border? Coming from someone that voted for Biden in 2020, few can argue the optics during Biden’s presidency of migrants charging border fences and challenging our border patrol agents in El Paso were horrific scenes that made this country look weak. Few immigrant advocates can take pride when we spend decades writing books, articles, and op-eds, and speaking throughout the land, on the positive economic consequences, in billions of dollars, of undocumented immigrants, and then witness young immigrants destroying U.S. security fences at the border. Such optics undermine the credibility of all that fight to have Americans understand reality: immigrants are vital to our economy. President Biden’s executive action in the last year of his term to secure the border was just too little too late. He waited until after his State of the Union Address, where even the Republican response called for him to take executive action.

Upon his taking office, the difference with Trump was stark. He immediately signed a host of executive orders giving the impression of immediate action to secure the border. The Mexican government prior to the proposed tariff was simply not doing enough to partner with the U.S. on the issue. In contrast to Mexican leaders’ speeches prior to the proposed tariffs, which were dismissive and at times poking fun at President Trump, just two days after the proposed tariffs were announced Mexico immediately began to send 10,000 of their national guard troops to the border. While some may argue that deal was allegedly already in place, once Trump proposed the tariffs, Mexican officials acted immediately and without pause. Where had they been during the Biden Administration? Compare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s recent trolling of President Trump’s proposed change to the name of the Gulf of Mexico with the immediate response after the tariffs: President Sheinbaum’s announcement on Tuesday that 10,000 Mexican troops were en route to the border.

The fentanyl crisis is real, and both countries should take it seriously. The proposed trade/tariff war was perhaps not an unwise economic plan as the media has roundly torched President Trump for, but perhaps it was a brilliant tactic for both countries to secure the border. While I for one remain skeptical of many of Trump’s other declarations, especially with respect to his calls for mass deportations, I hope some of those efforts are similarly ploys to lead to more measured results. I am not optimistic, but I firmly believe if one is a public policy advocate, and there is no more pressing issue today than immigration, one must not merely follow party lines. One must look for sensible solutions. Getting both countries to take steps to secure the border was one. Other similar bombastic tactics, such as mass deportations and purchasing Gaza, in the end will only hurt all of us and will likely lead to vast human rights abuses. Sound-thinking people can only hope, or dare I say pray, those too are ploys that will lead to positive results—and in the case of immigration, ideally will lead to comprehensive immigration reform with a national guest worker program that both protects migrant workers and ensures our economy.

Ediberto Roman is a Professor of Law at Florida International University.