A federal law enforcement operation at a taco shop in Tucson, Arizona, escalated into chaos on Friday when agents used pepper spray on a group of protesters attempting to intervene in what many believed was an immigration raid.
U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva was nearby during the incident and reported being sprayed in the face. She took to social media to criticize the lack of transparency and accountability from immigration enforcement, questioning how they treat vulnerable community members.
While I am fine, if that’s how they treat me, how are they treating others who lack the same privileges? Grijalva expressed in her statement.
Just weeks after her swearing-in to Congress following a special election to fill her late father's seat, Grijalva was on scene with her staff and the media. They alleged harassment from federal officers during the operation that involved multiple Tucson establishments as part of a broader investigation into immigration and tax violations.
Footage shared on social media showed a staff member stepping in front of Grijalva as agents sprayed protesters. Critics were alarmed, fearing encroachments on civil liberties and due process for those potentially detained.
Despite the chaos, federal officials insisted that Grijalva was not actually pepper sprayed. They claimed she was misinterpreting the events around her amidst the altercation and that agents had responded to a volatile situation.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin characterized the gathered crowd as a mob and emphasized that two agents were injured during the encounter. She highlighted the need for law enforcement to operate effectively without obstruction.
In a separate incident earlier this year, Rep. LaMonica McIver faced a similar situation, clashing with federal officials while investigating immigration enforcement actions in her district. These incidents indicate escalating tensions between federal law enforcement and lawmakers overseeing immigration issues.
