Migrants at border just need a talk about 'the facts of life,' Fox News contributor says

Fox News contributor Geraldo Rivera advocated for a much softer approach to the migrant caravan at the U.S.-Mexico border than the use of tear gas, according to The Washington Times.

Rivera, debating the issue with Sean Hannity and Dan Bongino on Thursday night, said the U.S. doesn't need troops or tear gas to handle this issue -- the migrants just need a good talking-to.

Here's what he said:

"These are innocent people seeking a better life, Rivera said. What you don't do is send 6,000 GIs with fixed bayonets at the border. Here's what you do. You send Spanish-speaking ambassadors to the crowd. You explain to them that they are not going to be able to rush the border. You explain to them the facts of life. You explain to them the reality of what's happening.

"This is a stain on the Trump presidency that will be very difficult to eradicate," Rivera continued. This is a benign, suffering civilian crowd. You can cherry pick three scenes of the rocks being thrown. What about the scenes of them living in squalor in the athletic field?"

Hypocrisy over tear gas?

The recent use of tear gas to deter members of the migrant caravan from entering the U.S. illegally has sparked up a debate about the morality of the tactic -- and also brought to many people's attention for the first time that tear gas was deployed dozens of times at the southern border under former President Barack Obama's administration.

That reminder has forced some on the left to retract or alter their criticisms of President Donald Trump, who was attacked for having used tear gas against women and children.

Like George Takei, who first said this:

And then had to say this:

Still, even faced with the fact that tear gas as a deterrent to illegal immigration is not new, some in the media just don't care.

"I don't care what Obama did!" said Sunny Hostin of "The View." "I care what Trump is doing right here, right now!"