U.S. authorities fired tear gas across the southern border late Monday night as a group of 150 migrants attempted to breach a Tijuana border fence.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the measure was used to address a group of migrants who were reportedly throwing rocks at agents.
{mossecondads}”Agents deployed smoke, pepper spray and CS gas to a position upwind of the rock throwers and south of the border fence,” CBP said in a statement Tuesday, adding that the deployments were not directed against the migrants.
An Associated Press photographer reported seeing at least three rounds of gas launched on Mexico’s side of the border near Tijuana.
The AP reported only seeing rocks thrown after the tear gas was fired, noting that it affected the group migrants, which included women, children and journalists.
CBP said its agents did not witness migrants, including children, experience the effects of the tear gas, which it said was “targeted at rockthrowers further away.”
CBP said an initial group of 150 migrants attempted to enter the U.S. illegally by climbing over and under a fence, but 45 of them turned away.
The agency added that teenagers wrapped in heavy padding went over the fence’s concertina wire, stating that the group also unsuccessfully attempted to transfer “toddler sized children” over the barrier.
Most of the migrants fled following the incident, while 25 were apprehended and taken into custody, including two teenagers.
“Unfortunately, Congress continues to ignore the professional advice from the men and women of the Border Patrol who have told them that walls work,” Waldman said Tuesday.
Border experts have disputed that a concrete wall is the most efficient or cost effective form of border protection.
Many migrants in the caravan, which started in Honduras, are attempting to seek asylum in the United States.
The incident occurred amid an 11-day partial government shutdown centered around immigration and border security.
President Trump has demanded $5 billion to build a border wall, while Democrats refuse to increase previous levels of funding for border fencing.
— Updated 9:55 p.m.
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