DHS Responds to Grijalva’s Claims of Pepper Spray Incident

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rebutted allegations from Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva, who claimed she was pepper sprayed during an immigration raid in Tucson.

In a post on X, Grijalva alleged that after identifying herself as a member of Congress, she was “pushed around and pepper sprayed” while trying to gather information from law enforcement officers at the site of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation near Taco Giro restaurant.

“ICE just conducted a raid on Taco Giro, a small family-owned restaurant that has served our community for many years,” Grijalva wrote. “When I introduced myself as a member of Congress, I was pushed aside and pepper sprayed.”

She later criticized ICE, labeling it a “lawless agency” that lacks transparency and shows blatant disregard for due process.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin swiftly countered Grijalva’s assertions, claiming she was never directly sprayed. Instead, McLaughlin said Grijalva was merely “close to someone who was sprayed.”

“If her claims were accurate, it would be a medical marvel,” McLaughlin stated. “However, that’s simply not the case. She was near someone who was pepper sprayed while obstructing and assaulting law enforcement.”

McLaughlin also highlighted that two law enforcement officers were “severely injured” during the incident.

“Indeed, two officers suffered serious injuries from this mob. Just claiming to be a ‘legislator’ does not grant you the right to impede law enforcement,” she emphasized, noting that further details would follow.

The situation prompted the Congressional Progressive Caucus, composed of nearly 100 Democrats, to demand a congressional investigation.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), vice chair of the caucus, condemned the incident as a “disgusting display of violence” against Grijalva, asserting that it illustrates a perilous time for American democracy.

The uproar coincided with DHS announcing its recent operations, which included the detention of at least 12 criminal undocumented immigrants, such as child sex offenders and violent gang members.

McLaughlin affirmed, “ICE will locate, arrest, and deport all criminal undocumented aliens, irrespective of time or place.”

Both DHS and Grijalva did not respond immediately to inquiries for comments.