Border Violence Up 300% Since Migrant Caravan Arrival, Says Government
David Krayden | Ottawa Bureau Chief
The U.S. Border Patrol is reporting a 300 percent increase from last year in violence at the San Diego border crossing with illegal immigrants assaulting agents.
According to a report from ABC-affiliate KGTV in San Diego, the accentuated aggression has spiked since the arrival of the migrant caravan that first arrived in Tijuana in late November. There have been a rash of reported border incidents since the caravan parked at the San Diego border crossing.
San Diego Border Sector Chief Rodney Scott released the information Thursday to KGTV. (RELATED: Tear Gas Greets Illegal Immigrants Trying To Sneak Across The Border From Tijuana)
Migrants, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America trying to reach the United States, return to Mexico after being hit by tear gas sprayed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Nov. 25, 2018. REUTERS/Adrees Latif
In a skirmish on New Years Day, a rock-throwing migrant managed to hit a border guard in the face.
“These incursions are organized they are bringing people down there for the express purpose of provoking a confrontation,” said Border Patrol agent Joshua Wilson, who adds that the incidents should provide ample evidence to Americans of the need for a border wall. (RELATED: Migrant Caravan Demand: Give Us Each $50,000 Or Let Us In)
“Having that barrier helps prevent many assaults on agents and thats something the public really needs to understand,” said Wilson. “Its not just a border security measure its a measure for agents safety as well.”
The director and founder of the pro-migrant group Border Angels, Enrique Morones, told KGTV that his organization condemns the violence and suggested the border guards are responsible for the heated exchanges.
Central American migrants, travelling in a caravan, are taken in custody by US border patrol officers after crossing the Mexico-US border fence to San Diego County, as seen from Playas de Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico on Dec. 13, 2018. (Photo GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP/Getty Images)
“If youre going to be going across the border to seek asylum, why in the world would you be throwing rocks at the border patrol?” asked Morones. “The people … have been reacting to the Border Patrol violence of tear gassing and shooting rubber bullets at migrants.”
President Donald Trump continues to fight for a border wall, but the Democrat-dominated House is refusing to include $5 billion in wall funding in any spending bills. Trump has been stymied by a federal court that ruled it unconstitutional to deny asylum seekers refugee hearings. There have been multiple reports that the migrants are carrying various infectious diseases and the Department of Homeland Security has warned that there are around 500 criminals among the migrants.
Border Patrol officials told KGTV that it is not their practice to release actual numbers of border incidents, but will indicate percentage increase or decline.
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