Congresswoman Hit by Pepper Spray at Taco Giro ICE Raid: Report
Official portrait of Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, 2025. Photo courtesy of Damien Salas, Office of the Clerk U.S.House of Representatives. Public domain.
U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva alleges she was pepper-sprayed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a raid at a popular Tucson taco shop, sparking a heated confrontation that has drawn attention to the aggressive tactics used in immigration enforcement. The incident highlights the tension between federal authorities and local communities, as well as the challenges faced by elected officials attempting to oversee such operations.
A Raid Escalates
About 40 ICE agents conducted a raid at Taco Giro, a small, family-owned restaurant on Tucson's west side. The operation was part of a years-long investigation into immigration and tax violations, with multiple search warrants executed across southern Arizona. Federal officials reportedly confirmed that several individuals were taken into custody during the sweep.
As the agents moved in, a crowd of local residents reportedly gathered in protest, concerned that people were being detained without due process or proper notice. Among the demonstrators was Rep. Adelita Grijalva, who had been sworn into Congress less than a month earlier after a seven-week delay in her seating.
Grijalva, a Democrat representing Arizona's 7th district, said she was at the restaurant for lunch when she encountered the raid. She alleges that federal agents fired pepper spray and smoke grenades into the crowd. In a video posted to social media, Grijalva claims she was "sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent" and "pushed around by others" while seeking clarification about the operation, as reported by POLITICO.
Conflicting Accounts on Pepper Spray
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly disputes Grijalva's claim that she was pepper-sprayed. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that Grijalva "was in the vicinity of someone who was pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement," according to POLITICO. McLaughlin also confirmed that two law enforcement officers were seriously injured during the clash and criticized Grijalva saying, "Presenting one'a self as a 'Member of Congress' doesn't give you the right to obstruct law enforcement."
This contradiction between Grijalva's allegations and DHS's denial raises questions about the use of force during the raid and the treatment of elected officials attempting oversight. Grijalva maintains she was not aggressive and was simply exercising her right to ask questions. She said only one officer spoke to her in a "civil tone" after she introduced herself, as reported by The Independent.
Local Leaders Condemn Use of Force
Tucson's Mayor Regina Romero and Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz condemned the "disproportionate use of force" by federal officers, as reported by The Independent, emphasizing that pepper balls and smoke grenades were deployed against the public, including Grijalva herself. They called the aggressive tactics "not justified" and stressed that they "cannot be tolerated."
Grijalva echoed the community's concerns, questioning how others without her congressional protections are treated. She accused the Trump administration of disregarding due process and constitutional rights, saying they were "literally disappearing people from the streets," as reported by The Independent.
Congressional Oversight Under Strain
Grijalva's experience fits a pattern of confrontations between congressional Democrats and federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Several lawmakers have reported being blocked, detained, or physically confronted while attempting to oversee ICE operations or visit detention centers.
Earlier in 2025, Sen. Alex Padilla of California was reportedly thrown to the ground and detained by federal agents during a press conference. Rep. LaMonica McIver of New Jersey is engaged in a legal dispute after an altercation with ICE at a Newark facility, according to the Associated Press. These incidents underscore the tension between elected officials' oversight responsibilities and aggressive enforcement tactics.
Political Context of Grijalva's Swearing-In
Grijalva's swearing-in was delayed by 50 days after winning a special election in September 2025, a move she and Arizona Democrats attributed to political maneuvering by House Speaker Mike Johnson. The delay prevented her from signing a discharge petition that forced a House vote on releasing files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Johnson reportedly cited the government shutdown as justification for the delay.
Arizona Democrats quickly condemned the pepper-spray incident. Senator Ruben Gallego called it "disgraceful, unacceptable, and absolutely not what we voted for," as reported by POLITICO. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes described the use of force as "unacceptable and outrageous," emphasizing the need for restraint and accountability in law enforcement.
Footage and Use of Force
According to The Daily Beast, video footage from the scene shows Grijalva confronting ICE agents, asking them to leave the area. As she walks away, a projectile lands near her feet, releasing smoke or pepper spray. It remains unclear which substance was deployed. Other videos show agents firing chemical munitions into the crowd, with protesters and members of the media caught in the crossfire. Grijalva's staff and members of the media were also reportedly pepper-sprayed during the raid.
Police Role and Aftermath
Tucson police assisted federal agents in safely extracting investigative personnel from the area after the confrontation escalated. No arrests were made by local police, who were praised by Grijalva for ensuring public safety and not harassing residents.
ICE officials reportedly stated that the raid was part of a coordinated effort involving Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, and other federal partners. They confirmed multiple search warrants were executed targeting immigration and tax violations.
Community Anxiety and Political Fallout
The incident at Taco Giro underscores the deep anxiety within immigrant communities and their advocates over aggressive enforcement tactics. Grijalva's claim that a sitting member of Congress was pepper-sprayed has become a symbol of the broader struggle for transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement.
While DHS disputes that Grijalva herself was pepper-sprayed, the raid escalated into a violent clash, leaving two law enforcement officers seriously injured and raising urgent questions about the balance between law enforcement authority and civil rights protections.
As the investigation into the raid continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the tensions simmering at the intersection of immigration policy, law enforcement, and political oversight.
References: Arizona congresswoman who waited 7 weeks for Mike Johnson to swear her in says she was pepper sprayed by ICE at a taco joint | Protesters clash with federal agents in raid on Arizona taco shop | Rep. Adelita Grijalva says she was pepper-sprayed during ICE raid | ICE Goons Pepper-Spray Newly Sworn-In Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva
