Trump activated another previously hidden program to separate families at the border as soon as he arrived at the White House

The government of Donald Trump began to separate migrant families on the border with Mexico as soon as they arrived at the White House through a program hitherto hidden, according to data from the Department of Homeland Security analyzed by

The Washington Post

.

The zero tolerance policy - by which the Government proceeded criminally against migrants who crossed illegally and consequently separated adults who were accompanied by their minor children - was officially implemented from April to June 2018, when a judge ordered to stop this strategy.

It was already known that the family separation had actually started a year earlier with a pilot program in El Paso, Texas, from April 1 to December 31, 2017. But new data that has come to light thanks to an internal review ordered by the Joe Biden Administration reveal that there was another family separation program in Yuma, Arizona, which would thus expand the number of affected migrant families still unaccounted for.

In this Dec. 9, 2018 file photo, a migrant family is seen crossing the border fence near Imperial Beach, California. AP / AP

At least 234 families were separated in Yuma between July 1 and December 31, 2017. It is believed that the number may be higher because, according to records, the program began in May but no data is available on those affected during those first few months.

That figure is very similar to the pilot program carried out in El Paso between April and December 2017. In total, also counting the entire period of the zero tolerance policy, the Trump administration separated at least 5,600 migrant families.

But this figure could be higher, given that the Biden Administration is analyzing whether there were other hidden programs.

[Chaotic reunions: midnight calls and reunions hundreds of miles away at Walmart and gas stations]

The Biden Administration Continues to Face Problems Reunifying Children Separated from Their Parents by the Trump Administration

June 8, 202100: 40

The Department of Homeland Security formally ended the practice of separating children from their parents after crossing the border irregularly following Biden's arrival at the White House.

And one of the goals of the new government has been to reunify the families Trump set apart

.

But four months after their arrival at the White House, only fewer than 40 families who were separated have been authorized to return to the United States, seven of which are already together again in the country, according to a report presented by the Tuesday the working group in charge of carrying out the reunifications.

It is believed that there are still more than 2,000 children who may not have been reunited with their parents, according to the cited report.

The difficulties, officials involved in the arduous task of reuniting the families say, are due in part to the fact that the Department of Homeland Security collected a lot of inaccurate information about the separated children and parents.