March 2017Then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly confirms that officials are considering separating families. December 2017Congress confirms Kirstjen Nielsen as Homeland Security secretary. May 2018Nielsen authorizes Homeland Security officials to implement zero tolerance. June 2018On June 18, Nielsen, at the White House, denies that the administration has a family separation policy. On June 26, a federal judge in San Diego blocks family separation, ordering the administration to reunite families.

Source: Los Angeles Times April 12, 2019 12:56 UTC