Doesn't more apprehensions mean fewer illegal entries?
No, not at all...because the official numbers from DHS say that for every illegal caught, 3 make it across undetected.
When apprehensions are up, that means that attempted crossings are up.
If there were a physical barrier on the border, your assumption would probably be right...but as it is now, if there's a patrol at one location, the border a mile away is wide open...and the coyotes know this.