MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's foreign affairs ministry has formally asked the United States government to conduct a thorough investigation into a Jan. 1 incident in which U.S. agents fired tear gas into Mexico at immigrants.
In a statement Thursday, the ministry said through its embassy that it lamented any violent acts along its border. It reiterated its commitment to the safety of emigrants.
In the first hours of the new year, about 150 people attempted to breach the border fence in Tijuana. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said that agents fired gas at people throwing rocks. It said it was investigating.
But an Associated Press photographer at the scene saw rocks thrown only after agents fired gas as emigrants scaled the fence.
The confrontation was at least the second time in a little over a month that U.S. authorities have fired tear gas into Tijuana. The action drew sharp criticism from politicians and activists on both sides of the border and raised questions about the use of force against immigrants.
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