Tear gas was deployed on Sunday to prevent to asylum seekers from Central America crossing the border into the United States of America.
Those who tried to cross the border are part of the “migrant caravan” — as it has become known. This group included about 500 men, women and children, who sought to cross the border at Tijuana in Mexico over into the state of California.
The caravan itself is made up of several thousand people, who arrived in Tijuana last month after travelling roughly 4,000km.
Mexico has since said that it will deport those whowere involved in the attempt to cross the border. The group is largely comprised of individuals and families who have fled poverty and violence in the states of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.
They have sought political asylum in the United States — which is a legal right — but each case must be decided upon individually by a judge, meaning that those in the caravan face wait times of months, or even years.
A statement from the US Customs & Border Protection on Sunday read: “Today, several migrants threw projectiles at the agents in San Diego. Border Patrol agents deployed tear gas to dispel the group because of the risk to agents’ safety. Several agents were hit by the projectiles. The situation is evolving.”
Today, several migrants threw projectiles at the agents in San Diego. Border Patrol agents deployed tear gas to dispel the group because of the risk to agents' safety. Several agents were hit by the projectiles. The situation is evolving and a statement is forthcoming.
— CBP (@CBP) November 25, 2018
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