Thousands Of 'Illegal Immigrants' Clash With US Security Forces As Trump Threatens To Shut Southern Border

Donald Trump's anti-immigrant policies are being backed by the security forces at that central American border as any effort made by the immigrants - deemed illegal by the US administration - is dealt with an iron fist. In the latest escalation that happened on Sunday, the US security forces shut the country's busiest border and fired tear gas shells into Mexico to prevent central American migrants from approaching the borders, Reuters reported.

Tensions on the border had been rising in recent days, with thousands of Central American migrants who arrived in a caravan camped out in a sports stadium in Tijuana.

Traffic was also stopped on both sides of the border. Tear-gas canisters were shot into the air by U.S Customs and Border Protection officers as Mexican government helicopters flew above their heads.

Photo: Reuters

The Mexican government warned Central Americans who tried to cross the U.S border illegally and in a violent manner by immediately retaking control of the border crossing.

Hundreds of caravan members including women and children protested peacefully on Sunday with chants of, ¡°We aren¡¯t criminals! We are hard workers.¡±

As they neared the U.S. border, they were stopped by Mexican authorities, who told them to wait for permission.

As morning approached, the migrants had got a hint that won¡¯t be allowed inside the territory and started expressing their anger. The migrants hit the U.S border security force on the other side with projectiles which is when they fired tear gas shells at them.

¡°Border Patrol agents deployed tear gas to dispel the group because of the risk to agents¡¯ safety,¡± the statement said. 32-year-old, Joseph Garcia, told Reuters, ¡°They want us to wait in Mexico but I for one am desperate. My little girl is sick and I don¡¯t even have money for milk.¡±

Photo: Reuters

Trump threatened on Saturday to close the entire southern border and has deployed military forces as well. ¡°Department of Defense military personnel will not be conducting law enforcement functions, but are authorized to provide force protection for Customs and Border Protection personnel,¡± read a statement by the U.S. Northern Command.

Reportedly, the data given by U.S General Services administration determine that 70,000 vehicles and 20,000 pedestrians cross from Mexico to the United States via San Ysidro each day.

U.S. and Mexican negotiators met on Sunday to discuss a plan to keep the Central Americans in Mexico while their asylum claims are heard. Normally, asylum-seekers announce their intention on arriving at U.S. ports of entry or after crossing the border illegally.

Trump has been advocating for a U.S.-Mexico border wall even though Sunday¡¯s events took place where there was a physical border-barrier.