Border Patrol data show additional inconsistencies in reporting. A spreadsheet with data on Border Patrol apprehensions between October 1, 2017, and October 27, 2018, shows the ages, nationalities, and genders of those apprehended; their family status (single adult, unaccompanied child, or family unit); and the sector where they were apprehended; whether they were separated from a family unit; and, for adults, if they were referred for prosecution. The following section summarizes some of the key findings from this dataset and highlights some inconsistencies in the data.
When Did Family Separations Start and End?
While email threads and other records make it clear that family separations occurred prior to the zero-tolerance policy, the data only begins to show separations from April 13, 2018, exactly one week after the zero-tolerance policy was announced. The data obtained through FOIA requests do not show a single family separation between October 1, 2017, and April 12, 2018, even though email chains and other agency documents consistently show that families were separated in smaller numbers then and during a pilot program in El Paso. The lack of separations in the dataset prior to this date suggests that Border Patrol was not keeping record of separated families at all.
Between April 13 and May 6, separations continue in low numbers, and spike once the zero-tolerance policy is implemented. However, the data also shows that family separations did not, in fact, end with the zero-tolerance policy, but instead continued in lower numbers.
Where Did Separations and Prosecutions Take Place?
Ninety-nine percent of family separations and prosecutions under zero-tolerance policy occurred at the southern border. However, one family was separated at the eastern Canadian border, in the Swanton Sector.
Use the interactive tool below to see where family separations occurred. Hover your mouse over each circle to get a breakdown of how many people were separated in a particular sector and what the prosecution rates were. Click the buttons to filter by different time periods.
Which Nationalities Were Most Likely To Be Separated?
Family separations mainly affected people from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Individuals from 85 different nationalities traveled to the border and were apprehended by Border Patrol during the zero-tolerance period. However, the overwhelming majority of family separations affected people from these four countries.
Family Separation – Nationalities by ZTP Phase
Pie area scales with total cases by nationalities. Hover for details; “Other” expands to show what’s inside.
What Was the Stated Reason for Family Separation?
The data shows ten listed reasons for separation, including “other (prosecuted).” Border Patrol failed to define this separation reason. Under the zero-tolerance policy, the separation reason for migrants was overwhelmingly listed as “other (prosecuted).” But once zero-tolerance policy ended, the number listed as “other” reduced dramatically.
Family Separation — Reasons by ZTP Phase
Pie area scales with total cases in each phase. Hover for details; “Misc.” expands to show what’s inside.
The dataset showcased many flaws in Border Patrol’s record-keeping of family separations.
An Interactive of the Full Dataset
On the link below, you can explore all the variables in the government’s family separation dataset and see how they changed over time.
