DHS Secretary Nielsen claims migrant caravan used children as 'human shields' against tear gas
In a Monday night Facebook post, the Department of Homeland Security claimed it was necessary to fire tear gas at migrants who approached the southern border on Sunday.
DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said the "violence we saw at the border was entirely predictable," referring to reports that Central American migrants who reached the San Ysidro port of entry to apply for asylum in the U.S. had thrown rocks at law enforcement after becoming frustrated that they were not able to plead their cases. "Officers can be seriously or fatally injured in such attacks," said Nielsen, though no officials were injured during the incident. Border Patrol fired tear gas into Mexico "to dispel the group" and closed the port.
"It appears in some cases that the limited number of women and children in the caravan are being used by the organizers as 'human shields' when they confront law enforcement," claimed Nielsen. Images of children affected by tear gas provoked outrage, especially among Democrats who said the Trump administration's handling of the migrant caravan had gone too far.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
President Trump also defended the gassing, telling reporters that Border Patrol agents "had to" use tear gas "because they were being rushed by some very tough people." He also said agents had only used a "very minor form" of tear gas, calling it "very safe" and claiming the children affected were only there because "grabbers" were pretending to be their parents to attain a "certain status."
Migrants were denied entry and remain in Mexico. Nielsen concluded her statement by saying the administration is continuing "to prepare for the next assault."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
5 hilariously spirited cartoons about the spirit of Christmas
Cartoons Artists take on excuses, pardons, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Inside the house of Assad
The Explainer Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez, ruled Syria for more than half a century but how did one family achieve and maintain power?
By The Week UK Published
-
Sudoku medium: December 22, 2024
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rupert Murdoch loses 'Succession' court battle
Speed Read Murdoch wanted to give full control of his empire to son Lachlan, ensuring Fox News' right-wing editorial slant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bitcoin surges above $100k in post-election rally
Speed Read Investors are betting that the incoming Trump administration will embrace crypto
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Enron mystery: 'sick joke' or serious revival?
Speed Read 23 years after its bankruptcy filing, the Texas energy firm has announced its resurrection
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published