I assumed the ones who went up to the border patrol without any fear WERE the ones seeking asylum. They seem to be taking them in and releasing them into the country.
They were asking for asylum, now most just ask for immigration hearing. Either way those that enter illegally have to be gathered up and processed. They were then held and many had to be released due to overcrowding and there is a law about holding minors so families were being released due to the outcry of family separation.
They still have to be gathered up and processed when they cross illegally- the difference is now they can be released back to Mexico- not all depending on status and different laws. But most are being released in Mexico to wait for their hearings now. Many that have already been released in Mexico don’t want to wait in Mexico and are asking Mexico to deport them back to their country, and that is happening every day. They know most of them don’t qualify for asylum and they know nearly all will be denied to stay here if they have immigration hearing that was just their scam to get here and stay here. That is why the wait in Mexico is a big deal, those that don’t qualify know they don’t and won’t wait.