All the statute you are quoting says is that you may make a proper asylum claim despite already being in the US. The propriety of an asylum claim has nothing to

All the statute you are quoting says is that you may make a proper asylum claim despite already being in the US. The propriety of an asylum claim has nothing to do with the propriety of illegal entry prior to making it, nor does it wipe it away. Which is not to say that illegal entry is never excusable. Necessity is a general criminal defense, so if you can show that you really had no choice but to cross into the country illegally or face imminent death or serious injury, then you’ll be off the hook for the illegal entry charge.