Quick question: Have any of the current US administration or Border Force actually told these "illegal immigrants" BEFORE they crossed that (a) their action was illegal, and (b) they will lose their children? Any fore-warning? Do they know these people don't have cable tuned to Fox News or even get newspapers?
Because if they have not, these people are not being deterred by these developments in the slightest because they simply do not know this is happening. They are walking over a cliff in the dark they don't know is there.
If people-smugglers and money are involved, odds are VERY high they won't say a damn thing to their "clients", or try to hush it up if they do hear rumours. They don't give a rats if the kids get separated or not, as long as they get their cash.
Meanwhile, illegal workers, those who are trying to work for a living under the radar in the USA, will not be bringing children. They want to avoid all this fuss and just melt into the background. So bringing children is now the worst way to attract attention.
And what about the honest-to-goodness refugees? When they are on the trek from Central America, they won't even have immigration papers let alone TV with Fox News bleating their Trumpian bulletins. So they present themselves for help at the US border...and get the full Sophie's Choice treatment. Nice...