News   /   Human Rights   /   News Bulletin

US officers fire tear gas at migrants near Mexico border fence

Central American migrants run along the Tijuana River near the El Chaparral border crossing in Tijuana, near US-Mexico border, after the US border patrol threw tear gas from the distance to disperse them after an alleged verbal dispute, on November 25, 2018. (AFP)

The United States closed its busiest border crossing with Mexico on Sunday, November 25, after Mexican police broke up a protest of Central American migrants massed in Tijuana, scattering some demonstrators toward the border where US officers hurled gas canisters from the American side.

A group of Central American migrants get over a fence as they try to reach the US-Mexico border near the El Chaparral border crossing in Tijuana, Baja California State, Mexico, on November 25, 2018. (AFP)

Traffic in both directions was suspended at the San Ysidro port of entry between San Diego and Tijuana, the US Customs and Border Protection agency said on Twitter.

US President Donald Trump has raised alarms about a caravan of Central American migrants as it approached the United States, with its members planning to apply for asylum on reaching the United States.

United States Military personnel and Border Patrol agents secure the United States-Mexico border on November 25, 2018 at the San Ysidro border crossing point south of San Diego, California.  (AFP)

On Sunday, hundreds of caravan members, including women and children, were peacefully protesting when they were stopped by Mexican authorities, who told them to wait for permission.

As the morning wore on, and it became clear they would not get permission, people started to express frustration.

A group of Central American migrants climb a metal barrier on the Mexico-US border near El Chaparral border crossing, in Tijuana, Mexico, on November 25, 2018. (AFP)

A small group broke off and headed a few hundred feet (meters) away to a part of a canal between Tijuana and San Diego that led to the border fence.

At that point, before the group had reached the border, US Customs and Border Protest officers who had gathered on the other side of the fence launched canisters of what a Reuters reporter said felt and smelled like pepper.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
US Mexico migrant crisis Mexico City
Iran’s foreign ministry lays bare rampant US, UK human rights violations in annual reports

Iran’s foreign ministry lays bare rampant US, UK human rights violations in annual reports

 Iran: US biggest enforcer of sanctions, major violator of human rights

Iran: US biggest enforcer of sanctions, major violator of human rights

 US Black Friday protests

US Black Friday protests

VIDEO | Report flags India’s violation of rights of Rohingya detainees

Turkey's foreign minister meets Syria's de facto leader in Damascus

'Next to impossible' to rescue patients from Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital: Director

VIDEO | Vietnam current prosperity

Report blames gasoil exports for shortage at Iranian power plants

VIDEO | Hind Rajab Foundation names Israeli war criminals vacationing after Gaza genocide

VIDEO | Australians rally for Gaza ahead of Christmas festivities

VIDEO | Attacks on Sana'a

MORE
Press TV News Roku