The foreign press is getting a whiff of the tensions here in the U.S. over illegal immigration. Today the UK’s Guardian newspaper published a story about how a death at the U.S.-Mexico border reflects immigration tensions here.

The article refers to the trial of the Border Patrol agent that shot a Mexican who was trying to cross the border in Arizona illegally.

From the article:

In opening statements, Corbett’s defence team portrayed the death of the 22-year-old as a case of self-defence by the 40-year-old agent.

"Nick Corbett had to defend himself, and he had to defend himself against Mr Domínguez, who was trying to crush his skull with a rock," said defence attorney Sean Chapman. "Nick Corbett did not want to shoot this man, but if he hadn’t done it, he might be dead today."

The prosecution, led by former Arizona attorney general Grant Woods, told a different story.

"This young man - while surrendering, going down on his knees, putting his hands in the air - from behind was hit, yanked and shot through the heart," Woods told the jury.

"We all respect the Border Patrol and law enforcement, but you don’t kill somebody who is trying to surrender," he said.

Taking the stand on Tuesday, Corbett said that he had been fending off Domínguez Rivera, who was holding a rock and threatening him, when his gun went off.