It was appropriate for Border Patrol to use tear gas on migrants

Tear gas a shame, but necessary

I read with interest the Nov. 29 column by Leonard Pitts Jr.. (9A, “The day we used tear gas against children”) I share his dismay about our border agents spraying tear gas at Central American refugees at a border crossing in San Diego.

But what recourse did those agents have? Unfortunately, some children were gassed. But from all the images of the migrant caravan that I’ve seen, the majority of the people in it are young men.

President Donald Trump made it very clear the caravan would be turned away, and he called for the refugees to retreat. They had to know there would be consequences if they aggressively persisted in storming the border.

We aren’t talking about a few hundred migrants, but thousands. Does Pitts seriously believe we should allow thousands of migrants from all over the world to rush our borders?

I am sure Mr. Pitts has his heart in the right place, but it is time for him to have a reality check. A wall needs to be built, and this way no one will get hurt.

Trump wasn’t the first to do it

Leonard Pitts Jr. declares outrage about Border Patrol using tear gas on foreign nationals recently rushing the Mexico-U.S. border, where children were pushed to the front as human shields. Where was the outrage during the Obama administration when tear gas was used more than 50 times and pepper spray hundreds of times in similar situations?

The caravan surge of foreign nationals at our southern border is not composed entirely of asylum-seekers. The Department of Homeland Security has identified several dozen as having criminal warrants or records, and some have been identified as gang members.

Those having legitimate, legal claims of asylum and those seeking to enter through lawful channels will, and should, be afforded proper benefit of the immigration system. But rushing the border is no way to enter a country — any country. Non-lethal means to repel such a rush is legal and has been used many times during the years.

Shafi a true all-American

My wife and I have known Dr. Shahid Shafi and his family for many years, even before he ran for City Council in Southlake. He is a very dedicated American.

He told me several times that he was running to repay this great country for the opportunities it has afforded him. He is a very patriotic American, taking time from his family to be involved in Southlake and now to give his time and talents to the Tarrant County Republican Party.

We feel compelled to attest to Dr. Shafi’s motives and dedication toward the American dream.

President John F. Kennedy was assailed for being a Catholic, but today he considered one of our country’s’ best presidents.

Far too many people today do not have any religion. God is missing in our schools. Our country needs more dedicated and knowledgeable statesmen like Dr. Shafi.

Opinions that I enjoy reading

Thank you for the opinion column by Cynthia M. Allen on Nov. 2. (11A, “Abortion too important to compromise on in Senate election”)

In my humble opinion, you are presenting a fair and balanced portrayal of ideas important to your readers. In other words, the previous Opinion section was progressive, and today’s Opinion section is conservative. Please continue to include Allen’s contributions.

Yes, I am now renewing my subscription.