Leslie Vasquez- The Current State of the Caravan Situation

This past Sunday, the U.S. had closed off the busiest port entry along the U.S.-Mexican border due to an influx of the migrant caravan trying to get past the border. At first, it was supposed to be a peaceful walk-through; however, tension increased drastically. In response to some violence against border patrol, CBP fired tear gas at the caravan. This action alone has caused major outcry in the country. Once a photo of a woman and her children running away from the tear gas became viral, many people have stood with the caravan, saying that they should not have to fear the life of their children and themselves just for seeking asylum. 

Tear gas is rarely used due to the deadly consequences it could have. In WWI, the U.S. had to account for American deaths by the tear gas that they used. This shows that the fact that officers at the border seemed inclined to use tear gas would gain the controversy that is has now. I feel that if a major group of people are seeking asylum away from countries in very violent and deadly conditions, the government should at least give them a chance to find a way to change their status in one way or another. It's already hard enough for immigrants who have been trying to change their status that have been living in the U.S for decades now. It could be 10 times harder in their native country. There should be some sort of compromise involved in this situation.

(Used two sources)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2018/11/26/why-tear-gas-lobbed-migrants-southern-border-is-banned-warfare/?utm_term=.b8dae6973bd6

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/us-closes-major-crossing-as-caravan-migrants-mass-at-border-in-mexico/2018/11/25/f94aabe0-f0ea-11e8-99c2-cfca6fcf610c_story.html?utm_term=.86490fa55305