A peaceful protest at the site of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in Tucson escalated sharply on Friday when Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva and several activists were pepper sprayed during a confrontation with federal officers.
Grijalva, who represents Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, had joined community members at a construction site known to be a gathering place for day laborers. According to her account, she was observing the arrest and attempting to ask officers about the ongoing operation when a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer pushed her aside. Moments later, she and others were sprayed directly in the face with pepper spray as officers attempted to clear the area.
The congresswoman said she felt an immediate burning sensation and required assistance from volunteers who flushed her eyes with water and milk. “I was there to observe and ensure transparency,” she said afterward. “There was absolutely no reason for the use of force.”
DHS released a statement later in the day asserting that ICE personnel were conducting a lawful operation to apprehend what they described as a “known gang member and public safety threat.” While the agency did not confirm the specifics of the encounter with Grijalva, it emphasized that officers acted in response to behavior they believed was jeopardizing safety at the scene.
Witnesses and legal observers strongly contradicted that narrative. Several people present stated the person being arrested was not resisting and that bystanders-including the congresswoman-were standing at a distance while recording the event. They described the use of pepper spray as abrupt and disproportionate.
No protesters were arrested, and no serious injuries were reported beyond the effects of the chemical irritant. The incident has intensified long-standing criticism of ICE enforcement methods and renewed concerns about the treatment of observers, including elected officials, during federal operations.
Grijalva has called for an immediate investigation into the officers’ actions, arguing that the use of force violated constitutional rights to document law enforcement activity. Community groups in Tucson say they plan to hold additional demonstrations in the coming days.
