Rep. Grijalva claims she was pepper-sprayed during protest against federal raids in Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Rep. Adelita Grijalva claims she was pepper-sprayed by federal agents during a protest at a Taco Giro in Tucson, the site of one of several federal raids that took place in southern Arizona on Friday, December 5.

13 News confirmed with Homeland Security that agents were executing more than a dozen warrants as part of a years-long investigation into immigration and tax crimes. Homeland Security said several people were arrested and 13 News saw property, mostly boxes, seized.

The Tucson Police Department said it was not directly involved in the raids and was called to assist with traffic enforcement.

“All TPD personnel involved in the response wore full patrol uniforms (dark blue),” TPD said in a statement. “No detentions, arrests, munitions, or force were deployed by TPD personnel during this incident during our response. The Tucson Police Department remains committed to supporting our community by ensuring both public safety and protecting everyone’s ability to peacefully exercise their rights. Any community concerns regarding the use of force by law enforcement that occurred at the Taco Giro today can contact the local HSI office at ICEmedia@ice.dhs.gov.”

Grijalva’s video statement, which was published on X, can be viewed below. She said it happened at the restaurant located at 610 North Grande Road, where 13 News saw federal agents and protesters and captured video of the use of pepper spray.

“Moments ago, while my team and I were on our way to lunch, we encountered an ICE raid at one of my favorite local restaurants, Taco Giro, a small, family-owned restaurant that has served our community for decades in west Tucson,” Grijalva said in a statement. “It’s in the heart of our community, right next to a church and a preschool. When I introduced myself as a member of Congress and asked for more information, my staff and I were pushed back and pepper sprayed by masked officers. Even if I’m fine, if this is how they treat me, how do they treat other members of the community who don’t have the same privileges and protections as me?”“

A video of the pepper spray used at this location can be seen below.

Grijalva said she went to the restaurant once a week and identified herself as a member of Congress.

“I was sprayed in the face by a very aggressive officer and shoved by others when I was literally not aggressive,” she said. “I was asking for clarification, which is my right as a member of Congress.”

Grijalva said once she showed up, she thought things would get a little calmer. She said one person was nice, but “everyone was rude and disrespectful.”

Grijalva denounced President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown across the country.

“While we do not yet know the full circumstances of this raid, we do know this: Under the Trump administration, communities across the country are being terrorized by a lawless agency,” she said. “Our residents deserve to know whether these raids target real threats to public safety – or law-abiding neighbors who have called our communities home for decades. ICE has become a lawless agency under this administration – operating without transparency, without accountability, and in open disregard for basic due process. No family in our community should live in fear, and I will not rest until we have clear answers and accountability.”

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz released a joint statement on the raids, and it can be read below.

Today, federal agents conducted a raid in Tucson that quickly escalated into violence against the public. We share our community’s fears created by President Trump’s immoral and inhumane immigration policies.

Under the Trump administration, unidentified federal agents often intentionally wear clothing with vague words like “police” to deliberately confuse the public.

Their disproportionate use of force, smoke grenades and pepper balls against the public, including our own Representative Adelita Grijalva, is not justified and cannot be tolerated.

Uniformed and clearly identified Tucson Police Department officers responded to the scene to close the street and ensure the safety of our residents. They were not involved in the use of force against members of the community.

We are committed to having a safe city where everyone’s rights are respected and legally enforced at all times. We encourage people with video or photographic information about today’s incident to preserve it for possible investigation and follow-up.

13 News has reached out to Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego for comment, as well as Representative Juan Ciscomani.

13 News: Dan is getting married was first to report early Friday that there was a heavy presence at Taco Giro located on Thornydale Road. 13 News then reached out to local law enforcement and businesses to confirm the raids were also happening at Taco Giro locations in the Tucson, Sierra Vista and Vail areas.

13 News confirmed with ICE Homeland Security Investigations that agents were executing more than a dozen warrants as part of an ongoing investigation into immigration and tax crimes.

In a statement to 13 News, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said:

“Special agents and officers from ICE Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation and other federal partners execute 16 search warrants in southern Arizona as part of a multi-year investigation into immigration and tax violations. Several people are in custody.”

“As soon as the number is confirmed, we will share more details.”

Video from 13 News from the Taco Giro location at 8320 North Thornydale Road showed officers removing boxes from inside the business.

An active scene was also confirmed at 610 North Grande Road. This video can be found in the video player at the top of this story.

13 News also saw an active scene at the restaurant located at 1402 Craycroft Road.

The video shows officers using pepper spray on a large group of protesters, as well as Grijalva, who arrived and attempted to speak to the protesters.

At least one protester was arrested during the confrontation with officers. Another protester was seen confronting an officer.

Employees at a nearby Sierra Vista business confirmed to 13 News that there was an active law enforcement scene at Taco Giro located at 2101 East Fry Boulevard.

13 News confirmed with employees at a nearby business that officers were at the Taco Giro located at 13160 Colossal Cave Road in the Vail area.

According to Pinal Central, the Taco Giro in Casa Grande was also hit Friday. The newspaper reported that several people were arrested at the restaurant on East Cottonwood Lane.

Javier Ramos Mora is listed on the licenses of several Taco Ricos-related businesses in Pima, Cochise and Maricopa counties, according to Arizona Corporation Commission documents.

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