A chaotic federal operation at a taco shop in Tucson, Arizona, on Friday turned violent when law enforcement agents resorted to using pepper spray against a group of protesters attempting to intervene.
The incident left two federal agents injured while U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva, who was present, claimed she was targeted by the spray and accused immigration enforcement of lacking transparency and accountability. While I am fine, if that is the way they treat me, how are they treating other community members who do not have the same privileges and protections that I do? she stated.
Grijalva had only recently been sworn in as the newest member of Congress following a special election to fill a seat previously held by her father.
In a video circulated online, Grijalva along with her staff and members of the press appeared to be harassed and sprayed by agents during what local residents perceived as a federal immigration raid. The congresswoman later recounted an unsettling experience where a projectile landed near her as she continued to highlight the perceived injustice faced by community members during such operations.
Grijalva reported feeling the effects of the pepper spray, although Homeland Security officials denied that she was directly sprayed, asserting instead that it was deployed against obstructive protesters involved in a years-long investigation of multiple restaurants for immigration and tax violations.
Department officials characterized the assembly of protesters as a mob and defended their agents’ actions, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin declaring Grijalva’s claims as false and an obstruction to law enforcement's duty.
The operation saw agents conducting multiple searches across southern Arizona, with tension escalating outside the taco shop as demonstrators gathered with signs and instruments to voice their opposition.
Video evidence showed Grijalva asking the agents for clarification on the whereabouts of individuals taken during the operation and intervening to demand they cease aggressive behavior.
As federal agents engaged the crowd with chemical munitions, Tucson police were called in to assist in extracting agents from the hostile environment.
This incident illustrates a growing trend of confrontations between lawmakers and federal law enforcement, amidst rising concerns about transparency and accountability in immigration operations.
