The United States Border Patrol used tear gas on New Year’s Day to stop about 150 illegal immigrants from entering the country from Tijuana.
From Daily Caller:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement that they used tear gas after some migrants began throwing rocks, according to the Associated Press.
“No agents witnessed any of the migrants at the fence line, including children, experiencing effects of the chemical agents, which were targeted at the rock throwers further away,” the statement said.
The AP is disputing the claim that the use of tear gas was precipitated by rock throwers, saying the gas was fired first. The media agency further says that border agents fired three volleys of the gas as well as plastic pellets and pepper spray. It maintains that women, children and journalists experienced the effects of the relatively mild chemical agent.
The Border Patrol used tear gas against a storm of illegal immigrants Nov. 25, prompting criticism from some Democrats, including one senator who suggested the chemical deterrent violated international law. However, records show that former President Barack Obama used tear gas against border violations more than President Donald Trump has.
