ICE says Rep. Adelita Grijalva tried to impede Tucson raid; 46 arrests, 2 agents injured
ICE says Rep. Adelita Grijalva joined a "rioting crowd" and attempted to impede a Dec. 5 Tucson ICE operation that resulted in 46 arrests in a multi‑year probe into labor exploitation, tax and immigration violations and drew "over 100 agitators" who assaulted officers and slashed tires. Grijalva says she was pushed aside and pepper‑sprayed after identifying herself while seeking information, but DHS officials say she was only near someone who was sprayed; two HSI Special Response Team operators were injured and the episode prompted calls for a congressional investigation.
📌 Key Facts
- ICE alleges Rep. Adelita Grijalva joined a rioting crowd and attempted to impede officers during the Dec. 5 Tucson raid.
- Grijalva says she was pushed aside and pepper sprayed after identifying herself while seeking information during the operation; DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin denied Grijalva was pepper sprayed, saying she was only in the vicinity of someone who was.
- ICE says more than 100 agitators tried to obstruct operations, with some individuals assaulting officers and slashing vehicle tires.
- Two HSI Special Response Team operators (law enforcement officers) were seriously injured by the crowd during the incident.
- Two people in the crowd were arrested: one for assaulting a federal officer and another for damaging a government vehicle.
- ICE reported 46 noncitizens were arrested in a multiyear probe tied to labor exploitation, tax and immigration violations; raid locations included the area around the Taco Giro restaurant.
- The Congressional Progressive Caucus called for a congressional investigation into the incident, and Rep. Ilhan Omar publicly criticized what occurred.
📊 Relevant Data
The population of Tucson, Arizona, is 44.2% Hispanic or Latino according to the 2019-2023 American Community Survey.
QuickFacts: Tucson city, Arizona — U.S. Census Bureau
From 2010 to 2022, the Hispanic or Latino population in Arizona increased by 485,152, from 1.9 million to 2.4 million, representing a 25% growth compared to 15% for the total state population.
77% of unauthorized immigrants in Arizona are from Mexico as of 2023.
Profile of the Unauthorized Population - AZ — Migration Policy Institute
Unauthorized immigrants in Arizona make up approximately 7.5% of the accommodation and food services workforce (23,000 out of 306,000 workers) as of 2023, compared to their 4% share of the state's total population.
Profile of the Unauthorized Population - AZ — Migration Policy Institute
Undocumented workers are particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by employers because they cannot complain about unpaid wages or work conditions without risking deportation.
Protecting Undocumented Workers on the Pandemic's Front Lines — Center for American Progress
📰 Sources (3)
- ICE alleges Rep. Adelita Grijalva 'joined the rioting crowd' and attempted to impede officers during the Dec. 5 Tucson raid.
- ICE reports 46 noncitizens were arrested in a multiyear probe tied to labor exploitation, tax and immigration violations.
- ICE says 'over 100 agitators' tried to obstruct operations; some assaulted officers and slashed tires.
- Two individuals in the crowd were arrested: one for assaulting a federal officer and another for damaging a government vehicle.
- Two HSI Special Response Team operators were injured during the incident.
- Raid locations included the Taco Giro restaurant area; ICE reiterates Grijalva was near someone who was pepper sprayed but was not directly sprayed.
- Rep. Adelita Grijalva said she was pushed aside and pepper sprayed after identifying herself while seeking information during the Tucson ICE operation.
- DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin publicly denied that Grijalva was pepper sprayed, saying she was only in the vicinity of someone who was.
- McLaughlin said two law enforcement officers were 'seriously injured' by the crowd during the incident.
- The Congressional Progressive Caucus called for a congressional investigation; Rep. Ilhan Omar criticized the incident.