This is not the first time rocks were thrown or refugees rushed the border

Tear gas, commonly known as CS gas — an aerosol compound considered a chemical weapon that has been outlawed on the battlefield by nearly every nation on Earth, including the United States.

Tear gas was used during protests in Ferguson, Mo., after the 2014 police shooting death of Michael Brown, drawing similar rebukes from rights groups and citizens who said the police response was disproportionate.

Middle Eastern and African countries typically use CS gas more potent than what U.S. authorities wield — with devastating results.

Can you direct me to a news report about refugees rushing the border and what the border police response was? I've tried different search terms but nothing comes up other than the current situation.

Tear gas is also used as part of routine police academy and fire school training. And other training in the military services as Elmer pointed out already.

I asked the question because I wonder how much the warnings from the administration instilled fear that they'd never make it in the more desperate asylum seekers. Using tear gas may be necessary at times. How does this "border rush" compare with the past?

I mean the President has talked for weeks about the dangerous refugees and the necessity for troops and more troops, threatening. I don't want the asylum seekers to threaten border control officers either. It's just that gangs of dangerous refugees attacking the officers has never been on my radar. If it's happened under other presidents it seems unfair to single out Trump. What is different this time?

From the article linked by Elmer

Malin said that CBP had been "preparing for weeks" for situations like the one that unfolded at the border on Sunday.

"We have seen the use of violence by members of this so-called caravan who have attacked law enforcement personnel in Guatemala, Mexico and now the U.S.," the CBP spokesperson said.

......

While CBP has said that some asylum seekers threw projectiles at Border Patrol agents, striking some personnel, the faction that rushed the border on Sunday represented a small group of the thousands of asylum seekers currently waiting in Mexican border town Tijuana to make their asylum claims at the U.S. border.

They used tear gas in the Air Force in basic training on my son too. I had heard about them at bases all over too, for training. I was in for 7 years and never went through it myself. Training was just dawning the mask in a certain amount of time and watching training films.

Kathsgrdn, they cheated you out of having the full experience! Lucky you. It seemed worse at the time than it probably was.

We were marched into a gas chamber with masks on. Good so far, they work well, no problem. (That was part of the purpose of the exercise, confidence in the masks if put on properly). We then joined hands, removed the masks, sang a short song, then were led out still holding on to one another in turn. The song was to be sure we emptied our lungs and got a full breath full of the gas. We held on to one another because when the gas hits your eyes, you're blinded with a strong burning feeling. What followed was 30 minutes of eye tearing and burning, extreme nose running and also coughing. It was most uncomfortable.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/border-patrol-also-used-tear-gas-pepper-spray-at-border-under-obama-2018-11

As cleo07's link points out, there have been numerous times when tear gas has been used at the border. The news media seems to forget all the times tear gas was used at the border during the Obama administration.

• Under Obama, immigration authorities also used pepper spray at the border, reaching a high of 151 total instances in fiscal year 2013 alone.

No. It has not and if you think it has, prove it. It’s a deplorable action taken by a deporable, ignorant and racist man. Those people have a legal right both Nationally and Internationally to seek asylum. They have a right to come to our borders, present a case and at least be heard. Once again this administration is breaking the law and using our government to hurt people who are vulnerable, simply because he doesn’t like them.

That article is mixing apples with oranges because the circumstances were different. It was not used to prevent asylum seekers from coming to our gates to legally claim asylum. It was also not used on innocent children.

Tear gas shouldn't be used on civilians. This isn't a war. Except in some small minds

The people at the border are, for the most part, NOT asylum seekers--they are here for the American dream. I can understand them wanting to come here, but there are LEGAL ways to enter the U.S., and no one should be allowed to breach our borders and violate our sovereignty.

Those seeking asylum are required to apply in the first country they enter after leaving their home country. Anyone who came from beyond Mexico was offered asylum in Mexico, and is therefore not eligible for asylum here. I cannot understand why people who are seeking asylum carry the flag of their own country. If their country is not fit to live in, why honor the flag?

Obama repeatedly used tear gas to protect the border. It is much more humane than bullets, which is what they deserve if they throw lethal weapons (including rocks and bottles) at our military or border patrol. Clinton and Obama routinely separated children from their parents--as is also done with Americans who break the law. We never put children in adult prisons--so why would we put immigrant children in prisons because their parents broke the law?

We are a nation of laws, and if we don't enforce the laws, this country will become like the ones the immigrants are trying to leave. Why destroy a great country?

The people who want to see them here (knowing full well that their reason for wanting to come here is for money) should send money to Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, etc. That should soothe their souls. As for me, I firmly believe that charity begins at home, and I resent one dollar of my taxes (and I pay a lot in taxes) to go to people of other countries as long as there is one American in need.

I agree with Wanda

"We are a nation of laws "

I agree. Let's apply those laws in their entirety to the lawless practices and corruption currently taking place in the Executive Branch and with many of the Administration's political appointees. The lying, cheating and conniving is unprecedented.

Low hanging fruit first - Ryan Zinke

Elmer, my son said it was pretty awful. I'm not unhappy I missed out. Especially since I have since been diagnosed with asthma. I did forget to mention that I have mixed feelings about the caravan. I understand why they want to come here but I think it should be done legally.

I think we all want it to happen legally! I think we all agree that immigration reform needs to happen. First and foremost, it doesn't matter when tear gas was used, and/or is being used, because now that we know, we should never use it. Right? But here's my bigger question, especially to those who think that so many illegals are coming in? How can we vet them properly? What does that look like? Because tearing families away from each other isn't right, storming the border isn't right, denying everyone asylum without even letting them apply isn't right? So how does that happen, especially when they're in dire situations? Because I have no problem letting them in and letting them apply. And they can go back if they don't prove asylum. But how does that happen, approving asylum? I don't think telling them all no is the answer.

Tear gas shouldn't be used on civilians

Oh good grief. Tear gas used today was developed specifically as a form of riot control. It's use in warfare has been controlled by international treaties since WWI.

You ladies who carry pepper spray because the big bad man might look at you cross-eyed and make you feel threatened, are carrying guess what? A form of "defense" similar to tear gas. Pepper spray actually acts more quickly by a few seconds than commonly used tear gas and it's results are longer lasting. So turn in those weapons that "should never be used against civilians".

Yes, turn in the pepper spray! After all, one of those assailants just may be an illegal immigrant, a civilian, who just wants a few bucks of yours so he can eat.

My husband and I were discussing the media uproar over using pepper spray against the illegals trying to force their way across the border. My 5 year old granddaughter said "Granny isn't that the same as someone trying to force their way into our house?"

Rob, applicants for asylum are required to disclose criminal history, and background and security checks are done. Lying on the application is grounds for deportation. By law, the illegals from Central America are required to apply for asylum in the first country they enter--failure to do so bars their claims for asylum in the U.S. In the past, they were allowed to enter the U.S. to await their court date--most did not show up for the hearing, making them illegal immigrants. For that reason, they are now being denied entry, pending processing of their asylum claims.

Once they are granted asylum, they (and their families) are eligible for Federal and State benefits--which is causing a significant drain on Medicaid, Food Stamps, and other welfare benefits. That's why it is so important for them to adhere to our laws. A recent study indicated that more than 150 million people worldwide wanted to come to the U.S. There is absolutely NO WAY we can afford that!!

Among the migrants currently at the border, there are significant health issues, including tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS, chickenpox, lice, and the potential for hepatitis. It is estimated that more than 60 percent are suffering from respiratory infections.

The Congress has been derelict in their duties. The immigration problem has existed for decades, and they will not address it, for fear of being politically incorrect. I just wonder what will happen when the sick and the criminals invade our border and infect or murder our citizens. The President has the duty to protect Americans, by whatever means necessary!

Someone above mentioned the people should come here legally. With the quota system depending on the country very few are admitted to this country and if they are admitted it can take years before they are even eligible for review to see if they are acceptable. For the rest to be admitted they must be on US soil to ask for permission to stay. The "being on US soil" is the reason for the caravans and why people come to the borders.

To come to America to live from other countries, you must apply BEFORE you enter the U.S. You must "be on US soil" in order to get citizenship, but that takes a number of years after you get here--by application while in your home country.

If Congress wants to increase the quotas for particular countries, they can do so.

Try walking across the border to Canada and announce, "I'm here, and I'm moving in". Papers? What papers? Oh, really? I need to apply? You people are mean!

"To come to America to live from other countries, you must apply BEFORE you enter the U.S."

This is not correct for refugees/asylum seekers. See link below, to a page on the website of the US Dept of Homeland Security.

One group treated differently awhile back, the US used to have a "wet foot, dry foot" policy for Cuban asylum seekers, and only for them because of special legislation. If apprehended on the water, they were turned back home. If they made it to the beach or farther, they could stay.

US rules for asylum

"Try walking across the border to Canada and announce, "I'm here, and I'm moving in"."

Bad example, brushworks, in fact it works exactly as your parody suggests isn't the case. In Canada, the process there begins by arriving, even without permission. There have been a lot of news stories about this, here's just one.

Refuge in Canada for people without legal immigration status

Elmer, you're right. I was thinking how it works for you or me to cross over and set up house.

We have a legal process. It doesn't include mobs rushing the border. From what I've heard and read, those big brave men put the women and children in front of them.

tear gas was used under Obama many times - and the liberal press (that's the majority of it) praised it. There are ports of entry for seeking asylum - the majority coming here aren't really seeking that. Also used under Obama were the fenced areas to contain those illegally crossing our borders.

if they're so proud of their country of origin and carrying the flag of that country, they should return there.

If they really have good intentions in coming here, they should do it according to the laws of our country.

They cost millions of $s to Arizona every year in the damage they do to the desert.

Where were the complainers about abuse in the WH during Obama's 8 yrs? It was massive.

Yes, it's all Obama's fault, there were no immigration issues or undocumented people living here before he took office. That's what we deserve for electing someone born outside the US and not qualified to be President.

Oh wait, that was the ORIGINAL fake news. One of the first public political things Trump's shameful lying was outed about.