The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said that 42 migrants who illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border over the weekend are now in custody.
A Homeland Security official confirmed the number media outlets on Nov. 26. The dozens of migrants were apparently part of the caravan that is seeking to come into the United States, and they were detained after crossing the border near San Ysidro, California.
The official said the exact number of people who were arrested will be made public later on Nov. 26.
Video footage taken by Epoch Times journalist Charlotte Cuthbertson on Nov. 25 shows migrants trying to get through the border fencing before they’re repelled by Border Patrol agents. Then, some of the migrants start throwing rocks at the agents.
Other footage shows Border Patrol agents firing tear gas canisters at migrants who were trying to storm the border.
Some 2,000 migrants participated, a Mexican federal police officer told The Epoch Times, while 39 migrants were arrested for causing fights and disturbing the public peace, according to a Mexican police spokesperson.
The migrants broke through riot police and are trying to get through any gap possible. pic.twitter.com/IBNoz9WY1i
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) November 25, 2018
There were no injuries. However, several Border Patrol agents were hit by projectiles, the agency wrote on Twitter.
“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,” Border Patrol tweeted.
The head of the Border Patrol, Carla Provost, also defended the use of tear gas.
“Yesterday our agents were being assaulted. A large group rushed the area & were throwing rocks & bottles at my men & women, putting them in harm’s way as well as other members of the caravan,” Border Patrol wrote on Twitter on Nov. 26.
More than 5,000 migrants are currently residing in the border city of Tijuana, according to reports, which has drawn the ire of the mayor.
Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum said the throngs of migrants who have descended on his city is tantamount to a humanitarian crisis, and he declared an emergency. He is anticipating that thousands of more migrants will arrive soon.
“I will not allow our bilateral relationship to be fractured by the bad actions of the migrant caravan,” Gastelum wrote in a Nov. 25 tweet. “They’re doing things outside of the law. We are affected at the border crossing. Many Tijuanans work, study, and visit the United States in healthy peace.”
Several hundred locals protested the migrant caravan on Nov. 18, and there were reports of crimes committed by the migrants. Most of the crimes appear minor, such as public intoxication and fighting, although there was one alleged attempted rape of a 15-year-old migrant girl by an older migrant.
For the past several weeks, President Donald Trump has warned the migrant caravan members, again reiterating his stance on Nov 26.
“Mexico should move the flag waving Migrants, many of whom are stone cold criminals, back to their countries,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “Do it by plane, do it by bus, do it anyway you want, but they are NOT coming into the U.S.A. We will close the Border permanently if need be. Congress, fund the WALL!”
