Arizona congresswoman claims she was sprayed with pepper spray during protest against ICE

Adelita Grijalva, a congresswoman from Arizona, stated that she was "sprayed in the face" during a protest against a federal immigration raid at a Mexican restaurant in Tucson on Friday. The incident occurred outside Taco Giro, a small family-owned restaurant Grijalva regularly visits. She explained that when she arrived, protesters had already confronted a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, mostly masked, who were conducting a raid. Grijalva mentioned that the protesters were concerned that the agents were detaining individuals without proper legal procedures.

In a video posted after the event, Grijalva shared footage showing the chaotic scene between the protesters holding anti-ICE signs and federal agents dressed in tactical gear. Grijalva, a progressive Democratic representative critical of the Trump administrations immigration policies, is seen approaching the officers while coughing and asking them to leave. One officer, holding a canister of spray, orders the group to "move out of the way." Another angle of the video shows a projectile landing behind Grijalva, releasing an aerosol mist at her feet as she steps forward.

When I introduced myself as a Member of Congress and asked for clarification, I was pushed aside and pepper-sprayed, Grijalva said in a post on social media.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded, claiming that Grijalva was not directly targeted by the spray. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin argued, If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel. However, they are not true. She wasnt pepper-sprayed. She was near someone who was sprayed while they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement officers. McLaughlin added that two officers sustained significant injuries during the incident.

McLaughlin also emphasized that presenting oneself as a member of Congress does not grant immunity from obstructing law enforcement. She promised further details would be released later. Meanwhile, ICE spokesperson Fernando Burgos stated that the operation, part of an ongoing investigation into immigration and tax violations, involved executing 16 search warrants across southern Arizona. Multiple arrests were made during the operation.

In a video posted shortly after the incident, Grijalva explained that she felt it was important to observe the events as they unfolded. I wasnt being aggressive; I was simply asking for clarification, which is my right as a congressperson, she said. Grijalva further expressed concern, commenting, If theyre treating me this way, I can only imagine how others are being treated.

Tucsons mayor, Regina Romero, and vice-mayor, Lane Santa Cruz, both Democrats, issued a joint statement condemning the actions of law enforcement. The operation quickly escalated into violence against the public. The excessive use of force, smoke grenades, and pepper balls, including against our own Representative Grijalva, is unjustifiable and must not be tolerated, they said. They called on witnesses to provide video or photos of the event for potential investigation.

Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego expressed his support for Grijalva, writing on X: Pepper-spraying a sitting member of Congress is disgraceful, unacceptable, and absolutely not what we voted for. Period.

Grijalva was elected to Congress in September to fill the seat left vacant by her late fathers passing. Although elected in a special election, she was not sworn in until the following month, after the House returned from a recess due to the federal government shutdown.

Author: Connor Blake