> They could also let asylum seekers go, and allow them to live in the United States pending a hearing. That's what we've been doing until this administration.

> They could also let asylum seekers go, and allow them to live in the United States pending a hearing. That's what we've been doing until this administration. Granted, there have been a large increase in the number of people who skip their asylum hearings. From 2013 to 2017 this figure was lower, averaging ~44%. More recent samples put this figure in the 70% range and by some estimates even into the 90% range. We could have ICE deport people who miss their hearings but ICE raids generate even more negative PR than detaining people at the border.