Controversy over tear gas tactics by Border Patrol

The U.S. Border Patrol has increasingly used tear gas and pepper spray in their operations along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Though the use of chemicals has been previously used by the Border Patrol against smugglers, the agency's top official in San Diego said that it’s being used more frequently due to increased attacks along the Mexican side of the border. “We have been taking steps to ensure that our agents are safe,” said Mike Fisher who added that Mexican authorities have been slow in responding to agents’ pleas for help.

A spokesman for the Mexican consulate in San Diego said that they’ve asked the Border Patrol to stop using “these kinds of devices.” In addition, some residents of border towns argued that agents’ tactics are too aggressive and heavy-handed:

Residents of the area's hillside shanties and muddy streets say the Border Patrol's measures neglect their welfare. Some agents, they say, show compassion, even apologizing for the tactics. But others are defiant and continue saturating areas despite their pleas.

"I said to the agent, 'Put yourself in my place. I have two children,' " said Robis Guadalupe Argumeo, who added that her home has been gassed three times since August, most recently after a verbal exchange with an agent Saturday. "He said, 'I'm the policeman of the world. No one can touch me.' "

Sources- AHN, Associated Press, Xinhua, Los Angeles Times

Image- New York Times