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DHS Disputes Rep. Adelita Grijalva’s Claim She Was Pepper-Sprayed During Tucson ICE Raids

Video shows agents firing chemical munitions during a multi-agency operation executing 16 warrants across southern Arizona.

Overview

  • Rep. Adelita Grijalva says agents sprayed her in the face and shoved her as she identified herself and sought information outside a Taco Giro in Tucson.
  • DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the congresswoman was not pepper-sprayed, claiming she was near someone who was and that two officers were seriously injured.
  • Videos posted by Grijalva and local outlets show agents deploying pepper spray and pepper-ball munitions into a crowd of protesters in close proximity to the lawmaker.
  • ICE said Homeland Security Investigations, with IRS Criminal Investigation and partners, executed 16 search warrants in a years-long immigration and tax probe, taking multiple people into custody.
  • Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz called the tactics a disproportionate use of force, and Tucson police said they provided traffic control only and did not use force.