Arizona state Rep. Adelita Grijalva says she was pepper-sprayed Friday morning during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Tucson, an encounter she documented in a video posted to social media. The incident unfolded as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents executed search warrants at a Taco Giro restaurant near Grande Avenue and Speedway Boulevard.
Grijalva said she was pushed aside by authorities as she approached the scene and was subsequently hit with pepper spray. Her video, which quickly circulated online, shows her describing the confrontation moments after it happened.
ICE initially declined to comment on the specifics of the operation, citing security protocols. In a statement, the agency reiterated that it does not confirm plans for future actions but conducts routine arrests of individuals suspected of criminal activity or violations of U.S. immigration law. Later in the day, officials confirmed that the Taco Giro search was one of 16 warrants carried out across Southern Arizona, part of a joint investigation with the IRS into alleged immigration and tax offenses.
While ICE acknowledged that several people were taken into custody, the total number of arrests remains unclear. Local newsrooms are continuing to seek additional details as the situation develops. ABC15 is updating its coverage as new information becomes available, and readers can follow updates through the station’s latest headlines page.
