Adelita Grijalva, a freshman representative from Arizona, says she was pepper-sprayed and shoved by federal agents during a recent immigration raid near a Tucson restaurant.
According to her account, more than 40 officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) descended on the local eatery, prompting a crowd of concerned onlookers and community members — including Grijalva — to gather and ask questions. She claims that after identifying herself as a member of Congress and attempting to seek clarity on the operation, she was “sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent” and physically pushed aside.
Video from the scene shows federal agents deploying chemical irritants against protesters. Grijalva and others nearby coughed and shielded themselves as a cloud of spray spread through the crowd. She said the spray also struck members of her staff and press who were present, and described the force used as excessive.
The raid was part of a multi-warrant enforcement sweep targeting suspected immigration and tax violations. Several arrests were made during the operation, but no public charges have yet been announced.
Federal officials, however, deny Grijalva’s claim of direct contact with the spray. A spokesperson for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said she was near individuals who were sprayed while allegedly obstructing officers, but was not herself targeted. The agency also said law enforcement sustained injuries during the clash.
Grijalva has called the incident unacceptable and demanded transparency and accountability, arguing that the treatment she received underscores concerns about how the federal crackdown handles protests and the rights of bystanders — even elected lawmakers.
As reaction builds, some local officials and civil-rights groups have echoed calls for a full investigation into the tactics used by ICE during the raid.