Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE (I-Vt.) on Tuesday said not all migrants in a group of thousands of Central Americans at the southern border have credible asylum claims, but criticized the Trump administration’s response to crisis.

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders says not all migrants seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border have a credible claim. "You have to look at it case-by-case."



"But I think what is most important is this country finally is going to have to deal with comprehensive immigration reform" pic.twitter.com/mkAZFWXrc8 — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) November 27, 2018

“No, I don’t, and I think you have to look at it case by case. But I think what is most important is this country finally is going to have to deal with comprehensive immigration reform,” Sanders said on CNN when asked if every migrant has a “credible claim” to asylum in the U.S.

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“So the time is long overdue, and I hope that with Democrats now in control over the House, we’re going to be moving forward to serious comprehensive immigration reform and a path toward citizenship. What we do not want to do is demonize desperate men, women and children who are leaving the horror of Central America, who are looking for asylum,” he added.

The crisis at the border reached new heights over the weekend as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents fired tear gas at migrants that CBP says tried to illegally cross the border and assaulted its agents.

Some migrants “engaged in dozens of assaults on agents and officers. Four agents were hit with rocks, but were wearing protective gear and did not suffer serious injuries,” CBP said in a statement commenting on the use of tear gas.

Statement from @CBP_McAleenan on the events yesterday in San Diego. Full statement is available here: https://t.co/CRO0Vs0wY2 pic.twitter.com/90J8763UUy — CBP (@CBP) November 27, 2018

“They had to use because they were being rushed by some very tough people and they used tear gas. And here's the bottom line: Nobody's coming into our country unless they come in legally,” President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE told reporters Monday regarding the tear gas.

Democrats were quick to criticize CBP’s response after pictures were published of families with small children fleeing from the tear gas.

“The tear-gassing of women and children at the border is an atrocity. It’s a violation of human rights. And it is a grotesque betrayal of our founding promise, as a nation built by immigrants,” Rep. Barbara Lee Barbara Jean LeeOvernight Defense: Nearly 500 former national security officials formally back Biden | 40 groups call on House panel to investigate Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds 40 groups call on House panel to investigate Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds Overnight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers MORE (D-Calif.) said Monday.

The tear-gassing of women and children at the border is an atrocity. It’s a violation of human rights. And it is a grotesque betrayal of our founding promise, as a nation built by immigrants.



I’ve called for @UN inspectors on the border, and I reiterate that call today. https://t.co/k5mXSs0oFU — Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) November 26, 2018

President Trump on Monday defended the use of tear gas, calling it a “very minor form of tear gas” and questioning why the migrants were trying to cross the border.

The controversy comes as Congress works to pass a spending bill next week that is needed to keep parts of the government open. The White House has demanded $5 billion of funding for Trump’s border wall, but it is unclear if Democrats will agree to that figure.