Migrants stage hunger strike at Mexican border

A handful of migrants camped out at the U.S.-Mexico border have started a hunger strike to protest the Mexican police blocking their way as they wait for the chance to seek asylum in the U.S.

A group of thousands of Central American migrants are waiting at the border either outside or in crowded shelters since they arrived in the border town of Tijuana weeks ago. Mexican authorities are transferring some to a new shelter to reduce the pressure on the system, according to Reuters.

{mosads}The crisis at the border became increasingly volatile in recent days after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents fired tear gas at a group of migrants it said were trying to cross the border illegally and assault the agents. 

“They had to use because they were being rushed by some very tough people and they used tear gas. And here’s the bottom line: Nobody’s coming into our country unless they come in legally,” President Trump told reporters Monday regarding the tear gas.

Trump threatened to completely close the U.S.-Mexico border if immigration gets “uncontrollable.”

“If we find that it gets to a level where we’re going to lose control or people are going to start getting hurt, we will close entry into the country for a period of time until we can get it under control,” he said last week.

The White House also recently implemented a new policy that forced migrants to remain in Mexico is their asylum claims are filed, reversing the old rule that allowed them to wait in the U.S. while their requests were processed.

The president has taken a hardline stance on the migrant caravan, claiming, without evidence, that it was comprised of several gang members. 

“Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border. Please go back, you will not be admitted into the United States unless you go through the legal process. This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!” Trump tweeted in October.

Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border. Please go back, you will not be admitted into the United States unless you go through the legal process. This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 29, 2018