The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of The Prowler.

Migrants of “the caravan” became victims of “non-lethal” force when U.S. authorities fired tear gas into the crowd of men, women and children at the San Ysidro border crossing on Sunday, November 25.

The caravan, which sought to cross the border into America in the winter of 2018 during Trump’s presidency, and the U.S. response to asylum seekers who tried to entered the country illegally, highlight a much larger issue of immigration reform and values. The issue of illegal immigration is not just a current political hot topic, but rather an issue that defines our past, present, and future.

I believe significant immigration reform is needed. The immigrants who make up the caravan most often are not dangerous, and they are only looking at America as a safe haven. They need a quick and accessible way to apply for asylum. These people have escaped danger and have seen much more horror than most U.S. citizens have ever experienced. We, as people of a free nation, must show compassion to these individuals who have risked their lives in search of a better one.  

The issues surrounding immigration are not going to go away. It seems like every week we hear of border patrol agents routinely spraying illegal “threats” with tear gas. Although it may be the “safer” option in terms of physical consequences, exposure to tear gas “burns the skin and eyes and makes it difficult to breathe.” Children, brought to the border because their parents sought a better life for them, are being targeted just the same as mature adults who knew the consequences in coming. As headlines ring out with captions claiming the use of tear gas is “routine” and “very safe,” we must remember that nothing about the use of force is normal.