Take the Business Away from the Cartels

What if we could take away the cartels' business of smuggling folks into the United States? I've a cousin who suggested a way. In his words, posted on Facebook:

Here is what I feel needs to happen:
1. The border needs to be secured. Whether we build a wall, or use some other means doesn't matter. A wall over the entire length of the border would be impractical, but it would be the best means of securing the border in many places.
2. Legal Immigration needs to be expanded, but it needs to start in the country of origin. We have embassies for this. If we need to expand our embassy personnel to deal with the increased work load so be it. Then when they get their proper documentation they get on a plane and fly to the United States instead of providing business for the drug cartels to transport them across the desert.
3. In the event that their home country is unstable, there is no U.S. embassy or they are fleeing political persecution, They can apply in a neighboring country with an embassy.
4. For those people who still insist on trying to cross the border, set up consulates on the Mexico side of the border to deal with them, thus there will be no need to detain any of them in the U.S. while they wait for their answers from the government.

I replied to Gayle by saying:
  Gayle, I thought on your four-prong suggestion last night and this morning. It's a good plan. I am not in favor of the wall, but like each of your other suggestions. What you say shows it is wiser to process applications at the embassies. That would take the business away from the cartels. It would also mean no children would be separated from their parents upon reaching the border. Your plan could perhaps be instituted without any legislative action, but rather by just encouraging immigrants to apply at the embassies. Still, it might be good to have legislative action spelling out such points as the expansion of those qualifying to come into the U.S. Having a consulate on the Mexican side of the border to process those who do not use embassies in their own countries is also obviously a wise thing.