and effect (increases the flow of migrants) don't match the reality of what has actually happened.

The significant increase in asylum seekers happened AFTER Trump implemented policies of "zero tolerance," releasing fewer people, and separating kids from parents - in some cases permanently.

*Despite* the harsher and more challenging conditions of requesting asylum, more people have been coming. The facts show the opposite of what you're saying.

The root cause of the increased flow of migrants is the conditions in their home countries and potential for opportunity here. They're desperate enough to risk having their kids permanently taken away from them just to get a shot and asylum. Various cruel policies aren't going to be enough to serve as a deterrent for people that desperate.

Releasing them or at least detaining them in humane conditions is not going to move the needle much if at all on the numbers of people coming just based on what we've seen in recent history.

You also keep ignoring that asylum seekers show up at court 89% of the time, which increases to virtually 100% if they have a lawyer or caseworker. That's not just a "hope they show up" policy the way you're characterizing it as many or most not showing up to court. They do show up, and the data prove it.