Washington: A video surfaced on Twitter in which hundreds of migrants were seen at the US-Mexico border. They were across a major bridge linking the two nations and trying to force their way in. People of all age groups including the elderly and young kids were seen running toward the bridge.
A report in Fox News said at least 1,000 migrants were screaming and begging to be let through the barbed wires at the Paso Del Norte bridge. An 18-year-old Venezuelan was heard saying: "Please, we just want to get in so we can help our families. So I can have a future and help my family." According to a report by Mexican media Norte Digital, the migrant workers rushed to the spot following a rumour saying the border was being opened to give them fast-tracked political asylum in the US.
The Mexican military tried to contain them on the southern side of the bridge. The US Customs and Border Protection increased manpower on the other side. According to New York Post, extra officers and barricades were used at the ridge of the Americas and the Stanton-Lerdo one.
A series of images by Reuters showed that some migrants hurled orange and plastic bags at the US line. Some people said pepper spray was used to turn them away.
The crowd eventually withdrew and some headed back to the banks of the Rio Grande.